Left For Dead

This is the 3rd book in the DI Amy Winter series by author Caroline Mitchell and they just keep getting better.

While shopping with her sister, DI Amy Winter is admiring a Valentine’s Day window display of a perfect bride encrusted in diamonds and resplendent in lace. But then she notices blood oozing from the mannequin’s mouth. This is not a display but really is a dead body.
The subsequent post-mortem reveals the victim was left to die for all to see. A second victim is found shortly after and it emerges that both women were ‘Sugar Babes’ arranging dates with older men online.
DI Amy Winter is hunting for a psychopath and her radar is set off by the head of the agency behind the display who makes no attempt to hide his fascination with her serial-killer parents. Amy's biological mother, Lillian Grimes is currently appealing against her conviction, so her emotions are being pushed to the limits.

Once again the author presents an excellent plot while managing to deal with all the side issues from Amy's personal life without causing any confusion or distraction to the reader. Great plot, excellent characters and so well written.
Surely another successful novel for Caroline Mitchell.
I would like to thank both Net Galley and Amazon Publishing for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

Wow! As usual this author doesn’t disappoint.........
Another great instalment of Amy Winters. Great plot involving Amy looking deep inside herself to find the real essence of her being. Also another great twisty murder investigation.
Highly recommend and eagerly awaiting the next adventure.
A****

I did not read the previous two books in this series however I didn’t need to. I was able to read this book without any issues or feeling like I was missing something. This was a great mystery book! I enjoyed reading from various characters POV and delving into separate interpretations of events. I really liked Amy Winter (our protagonists) and found her to be a level headed and relatable character. The main mystery was interesting and I really liked the way in which the case progressed and was resolved!
*thank you netgalley for sending me an arc!*

I want to thank NetGalley, Amazon Publishing UK, and author Caroline Mitchell for providing me with an ARC of this novel!

Wow, wow, wow! I have never read this author’s work and I have been missing OUT! I had no idea this was part of a series, but that didn’t hurt my connection to the book at all. This read perfectly as a standalone to me.

We follow DI Amy Winter as she is out shopping with her sister. While stopping to admire a Valentine’s Day window display of a perfect bride, Amy notices what looks like blood oozing out of the mannequin’s mouth. We come to find out that this isn’t a display, it’s a dead body.

If you aren’t pulled in by that alone, YOU CRAZY! This novel was amazing and I couldn’t put it down once I started it. The writing was so smooth and the character development was spot on. I loved the twisty, dark murder investigation and enjoyed how the case progressed to the point of resolution. If you’re a fan of the mystery/thriller genre, READ THIS!

Thank you to those named above for allowing me to read and review this novel!

DI Amy is out shopping with her sister Sally-Ann when she stop to admiring a window display and notice the mannequin is bleeding from the mouth. We learn the victim name is Stacey and she was escort for a site called Sugar Babes she was having money problems.

As DI Amy starts to investigate she also dealing with her birth mother getting out of prison who is a serial killer and also having a new boss Donovan who in previous books she work with and has been flirting with.

This was a good mystery we had different POV that kept the story going I’m looking forward to the next book especially with how she going to handle her birth mother Lillian being out of prison and trying to trusts her sisters who in my opinion are I’m just going to say it idiots I know they their reason but still.

I received an ARC copy of this book from the Publisher via Netgalley and voluntarily leaving my review.

Amy Winter is a young D.I. and the biological daughter of famed serial killers Jack and Lilly. Jack is deceased and Lilly is in jail up on appeal. When a young women is found murdered in a dept. store window display Amy and her team try to find connections between this murder and one committed years ago -both young women had a small heart shape carved onto their chests. When a second victim pops up Amy and the team must race against time. Meanwhile Amy is trying to navigate her relationships with her sisters who want Lilly to be released, her feelings for her boss Donovan and solve the murders.
Amy is positive that Sam Black of Black Media is behind the murders but their is no evidence against him and all the evidence points to one of his employees Billy. Amy is caught between trying to solve the deaths as fast as she can, being a team player but wanting to go out on her own when she becomes frustrated.
A well written fast paced novel that makes you want to read more books about Amy and her team.

I would give this more than five stars if it was possible. I love Amy Winter she is a feisty no nonsense cop who is very appealing as a character.

An action packed, tension filled thriller that is definitely a must read.

A serial killer is posing his victims as mannequins, on display for all to see. DI Amy Winter learns the women belonged to an online group of women looking for older men, or sugar daddies. The head of the online dating agency is fascinated with Amy’s parents, serial killers themselves and his attention raises her hackles. With her biological (and crazy) mother appealing her conviction, Amy is caught between her newest case and her own dark past. This series is pure dynamite, each entry more exciting than the one before

A book that leaves you chilled to the bone, gripping and deliciously creepy, Left For Dead is the third instalment in the DI Amy Winter Thriller book series.

The book opens on a chilly February day in the office of Samuel Black who, after having scratched his way to the top, now lives in a large home in Notting Hill. Itching to release his hidden desires, he unlocks the second draw of his desk, and with the help of a little black notebook, he is thrust from his mundane life into the bowels of a secret society.

DCI Hazel Pike is retiring and Donovan, toned and muscular and without a tie, has been transferred from Essex Police to take over her role. Dubbed as the psychopath-whisperer and with fan-mail to boot, it’s a bitter pill for DI Amy Winter to swallow. But I love Donovan, in fact, I quite fancy him myself.

A shopping trip with her sister down London’s Oxford Street on a Saturday morning, starts the ball rolling on the most bizarre case yet. A widow display with the distinctive scent of death and a dummy, left on a throne, ice cold with blood dripping from her mouth. A small heart-shaped wound had been cut in her chest, reminiscent of Claire Lacey’s murder twenty years ago— nicknamed The Love Heart Killer.

With all the ingredients of a fabulous plot, this book definitely delivers on many counts. The antagonist is deliciously creepy (which I love) and the protagonist is a pitbull of a crime fighter, whose punchbag sessions in her basement gym make up a small part of her amazing strength. The word ‘no’ doesn’t exist in her vocabulary and wedging a boot in a closing a door demonstrates her prickly dedication. Reluctant to discuss the Beasts of Brentwood with the likes of Samuel Black, she will have to atone for Lillian’s crimes, the true reason why Amy does what she does. But with tainted blood running through her veins—or you could say a foot in both camps—I wonder if this makes her twice as intuitive. Her nemesis in this case may refer to her as ‘same dog, different fleas,’ but he doesn’t know what he’s dealing with.

On the final stretch of the crime, the twist in the tale had me reeling. I thought I might have it all worked out by about the three quarter mark, but I hadn’t. A twenty-year-old murder told from two perspectives, with a cruel and perverted outcome. What’s that Harper Lee saying? “You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view... Until you climb inside of his skin and walk around in it.”

I always have my go-to crime writers and I’m happy to say, Caroline Mitchell is one who never disappoints. Edgy, dark and showcasing one of the finest detective characters in modern fiction, it’s exciting to note that the series has been optioned and will soon be on our screens to watch.

Many thanks to the author, the publisher Thomas & Mercer, to blog tour organizer Sarah Hardy at Books On The Bright Side, and to Netgalley for an advance reader copy of this book.

i didn't read the last two books before this one but i must say this book by itself didn't make me feel like i was missing anything from the other two i understood everything from this one book alone. the way the best book ever !! this book had an excellent plot while dealing with all of the other personal problems Amy was going through in her daily life.this book had me gripping every edge of my phone while reading it,i couldn't stop myself from reading but all i got to say is Caroline Mitchell .she out done her self this time with this excellent dark edgy book and i would read it all over again in a heart beat.

A truly outstanding read!
This series has been brilliant from the outset but every instalment is better than the last, I went without sleep to read this book in one sitting.
While publicly battling her personal dealings Amy is forced to deal with a twisted, clever murderer in this gripping read.
I can't wait to find out what happens next!

This was my first Caroline Mitchell novel, and I am obsessed now. Left for Dead was like Olivia Benson of Law and Order SVU meets the UK.

I immediately knew I was going to like the protagonist as I could tell she wasn't an easy character and had an interesting perspective. I loved when she went against procedure as she was a fierce detective that would do anything to solve a case. The relationship between Amy and her sisters was so interesting, and I can't wait to see how that's explored in the next book. My favorite characters were Ray, Amy, and Mama Danielle.

I loved the structure of this book as the chapters shift between four perspectives, but it never feels like too much and each perspective gives you insight into the story and the past and present murders. The prologue had me immediately disturbed, and I found it so interesting getting to be in the killer's mind throughout the book. It was deeply disturbing, yet I couldn't get enough. Every chapter ended with a great hook that made you want to read the next chapter and yet as I got to the end I kept having to take breaks because it was getting too good, and I didn't want it to end yet as I wasn't prepared for everything that was going to happen. I didn't expect there to be so many twists and even when you think you know the whole picture, the author always has something else up her sleeve.

Although I haven't read the other books in this series, I think the author gave just enough information for you to understand Amy Winter and her past. I can't wait to go and read the others though as I need more Winter (and Donovan). It's similar to a crime show where there's the main story and then there's sub plots that are interesting, but you need to watch the previous episodes if you want to be able to put it all together. Overall, this book amazed me with how well done and interesting the plot and characters were.

Chilling and mindbending.

I had a difficult time during this one as I found it too eerie to read. I felt disturbed at times and had to put this down.

Absolutely fantastic! I love the Amy Winter series and this did not disappoint it was an excellent story that kept me engaged from page 1 right through to the end. There several OMG moments which had me frantically turning pages because I couldn’t get enough. Read this late into the night because it was a tough one to put down. Totally deserves 5 big fat ones, loved it!

I am really enjoying this series, this book is fantastic. It had me gripped till the last page and I'm looking forward to reading the next book.

Left for Dead by Caroline Mitchell is the first book I’ve tried from Netgalley, I wasn’t quite sure what I was getting into - especially as it is the third book of a series and I hadn’t read any of the others.

What I liked: crime stories in general keep me reading, the writing made it clear the author had a background experience with police investigation and the plot felt realistic. There were a few plot twists towards the end, not super obvious twists either which is always great and the last chapters introduced the next steps to future books. The nature vs. nurture debate throughout was interesting and the main characters uncertainty of her motivations throughout kept me reading.

What I didn’t like: sometimes the main character feels unlikeable - especially when we hear her inner thoughts. Not sure if it was hindered by the fact I hadn’t read books 1 or 2.

I’d pick up the book series to read. 4/5

Amy finally comes into her own. Lillian's trial comes to ahead. I liked that we know who the killer is at the beginning of the book then we follow Amy and her team as she tracks them down. There are some twists. There are also some revelations. If you have enjoyed the first two books then you will really like this one. I look forward to seeing what happens to Amy, her team and her birth family.


*I received a copy of this book via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review.*

Another brilliant read in this great series. You need your wits about you as there's lots going on but that's why I love the books, never a dull moment. There is just enough background information on the characters but if you get the chance, read the other 2 books as it adds depth to the story as a whole. I can't wait to read what's in store for Amy in future books. Highly recommend

Absolutely superb read. This has kept me interested and engaged throughout.
I can’t wait to highly recommend this one to other readers.

Left for Dead is a solid police procedural that follows DI Amy Winter and her team's pursuit of a serial killer who carves hearts the victims. The case, as well as her biological mother's appeal of a murder conviction, stretches Amy to her limits. She suspects a seemingly innocent advertising executive to be involved in the murders but can't prove it. The story moves along fairly quickly but doesn't stand out from other books in this genre. I would recommend this book to people who enjoy the typical police investigation book.

Given that I haven’t read any of her previous books this one was pretty decent. It started off a little slow for me but once you get about 30% in you will be hooked. I was able to read this in a few hours, I couldn’t put it down!

A victim on display. A detective on the rails.

Shopping with her sister, DI Amy Winter is admiring a Valentine’s Day window display of a perfect bride encrusted in diamonds and resplendent in lace—until she notices blood oozing from the mannequin’s mouth.- Goodreads

This is the third book to the DI Amy Winter series. I did not know this when I requested this arc on Netgalley. With that being said, you need to read at least the previous book. On top of the current murder investigation, a previous issue, that takes up 90% of Amy's head space, is extremely prominent within this novel.  Although I enjoyed this read, I would have loved it if I read the previous novel. So go do that before reading this review and the book :)

I was sucked into this book fairly quickly. It is told in multiple point of views and it was great. It wasn't great because Amy wasn't a good voice to read but it was great because each perspective gave actual insight to the case and everything else that was going on. Yes, you do get the killer's point of view and its creepy. Like he is a creep but that isn't what made it creepy.

Beyond this the book is fast paced but it was a hard read for me because I didn't read the previous books. When I realized this was a third, I expected there to be some reference to the previous books not chapters about them. It took away my interest and it also made the current murder seem so small.

Despite this, I really enjoyed this book. The writing style is captivating. How everything moved together behind everyone's eye took a lot of talent.  Do I plan on reading the previous novels? Not sure. Since I know how some things end, it might not do me any good. 

Overall, would continue this series. 

3.5 Pickles

Another great Caroline Mitchell book . Detective Amy Winter proves again that she is out to get the villain. She is relentless, methodical and perspective in dealing with her team , the low life Samuel Black, Lillian Grimes ( her evil birth mother , her siblings the victims and her boss Donovan. Mitchell writes short intense chapters that force her readers to keep reading to see what happens next.

This was the first book I read in the DI Amy Winter but I was able to follow along with what was happening easily. Excellent writing and story. I will be back to read more of Caroline Mitchell's books!

Kindly received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This was my first time reading a book by this author. I found out it wasn't the first book in the series so I wasn't too sure what my thoughts would be. After reading the prologue and first chapter I felt it was a little slow but that honestly didn't last long! 100% regret thinking that! I was just too quick to judge! I've got to say, I didn't think I'd get hooked so quickly! after chapter two that was it! I couldn't put it down, the chapters where intense! With a lot going on, making me want to keep turning the pages. Overall I thoroughly enjoyed this so much so, I had finished it in a few hours! I can't wait to see what the next one has in store.

Would most definitely recommend to anyone who likes police investigation, thriller type books.

This is the 3rd Amy Winter book and they just keep getting better! I’m looking forward to the next chapter in Amy’s life!
Amy and her sister are walking down a London Street where they stop to look at a beautiful bride display in a store front window. Amy notices there is blood coming from the manikin’s mouth. She immediately takes control of the situation and puts the store in lockdown.
During the autopsy they noticed a heart was carved in the victim’s chest. Days later another victim was found with the same heart. Amy’s research reveals that years ago another woman was murdered with the same heart carving. Amy is now on the hunt for a serial killer Add in Lillian’s return and the turmoil of her potential release from prison reflects on what an amazing woman Amy is!!!

Very fast paced & thrilling roller coaster ride! Caroline Mitchell knocked it out of the park!
Thank you NetGalley and Amazon Publishing UK for allowing me the privilege of reading this ARC!

This is a well-written police procedural starring an appealing detective, DI Amy Winter (who is accurately described as sort of a British John Douglas of Mindhunter).

The book presents a solid detective story with a great premise and all the necessary elements are present. It is less of a “whodunit” and more of a cat and mouse game between the detective and the killer, who is identified early. Both DI Winter and the killer are characterized very well. It definitely shows that the author was herself a police detective as all the police procedure is very detailed and realistic.

I did not realize that this was the third book in a series and for me it was a little hard to read as a stand-alone. This is mostly because events from the previous book, including a previous case and a situation with Amy’s family, take up a lot of space in the book also. Having not read the previous books, I was not really that invested in this part of the plot and at times was not able to follow it. I also was not a huge fan of the ending, which got a little cliche, but was still well-executed.

Overall a solid and well-written police procedural that I’d give 3.5 stars. But you’ll probably get more enjoyment out of it if you’ve read the other books.

Thanks to NetGalley, Amazon Publishing and Caroline Mitchell for the advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

Left For Dead I'd book 3 in the DI Amy Winter series. I was attracted to the premise of the book, and it did not disappoint! This was a great mystery/thriller. If you're looking for a great mystery/thriller, look no further!

Police thriller,continuing the series featuring Amy Winter. Characters are great and the story moved along quickly with a few twists.

Shopping with her sister, DI Amy Winter is fascinated by a window display featuring a bridal gown, fascination turns to horror when she realises the mannequin is in fact a dead body

The 3rd instalment of the series had me racing to the end to finish and each in the series just gets better and better

Wow. This author keeps getting better and better I love this series. So many twists and turns that you don't see coming. Would recommend this book to people

Another marvelous book by Caroline Mitchell. She just always hits it out of the park. I love Amy Winter, a deeply flawed person yet one to be deeply admired at the same time. The storyline was gripping and I can't wait for the next Amy Winter book.

Where to start with this book. It had everything. If I had a checklist of things I wanted in a book then this one had it all. I absolutely loved the first and second book in the series but for me this one found another gear. I think this has to be my favourite book by this author and I’ve read them all. Needless to say I highly recommend this book.

A woman dressed in a wedding gown is posed on a throne on a shop display. With a heart carved in her chest, she is left for dead...
Will DI Amy Winters catch "The Love Heart Killer" before he moves onto his next victim?

The story weaves between three perspectives; Amy's, the killer's, and his wife's.
I requested this book because I read and loved The Perfect Mother, but I failed to notice that this was the third book in the series. As a result, because the story was full of details from the previous books, I felt annoyed at not having a full picture of Amy's past.
I'm sorry to say that this book didn't turn out to be to my liking.
I'm not a huge fan of stories where the killer is made known from the get-go, so it contributed to the lesser enjoyment as I found it took away the suspense that would otherwise ensue.
The ending was good ( albeit it was a bit unbelievable that a seasoned inspector would do what she did ) and had me captivated, but overall it was just an average read.
It seems that I'm in the minority on this, so I think you should check it out yourself.

This, the third book, in the Amy Winters series is amazing. Amy finds herself working for her previous love interest Donovan, who is now her new DCI, which she finds hard to comes to terms with. The storyline, the Love Heart Killer, is gripping and the characters well written. A “I can’t put it down” book that will have you hooked, and more than ready for a fourth book. Well done Caroline.

Third in the DI Amy Winter series, this gripping thriller is not one to miss. Admittedly, I haven't read the first two but this can be read as a stand-alone novel. However, I'll definitely be going back to catch up on those because I'm already craving more.

While shopping with her sister, DI Amy Winter discovers one particular mannequin is a little too lifelike. Blood oozes from the mouth and the eyelids are held with sellotape to stay open. This is no stunt. As she tracks down the killer, Amy's instincts go into overdrive when the charismatic head of the agency behind the display makes no attempt to hide his fascination with her serial-killer parents. But what exactly does he want from Amy? Is she as much at risk as the killer's victims?

The character of Amy is brilliantly written. She's realistic, isn't afraid to stand up for what she believes is right, and is straight to the point. A former police detective herself, I imagine Mitchell has allowed her own experiences to come through in the way Amy thinks and reacts. It's a unique piece of knowledge to have that gives the character more depth. As well as tracking down the murderer, there is a secondary plot that focuses on Amy's personal life but it doesn't steer away from the main story line, which I appreciate.

Mitchell's style of writing is one of my favourites. We aren't given too much description straight away or have an excessive amount of details thrown in our face, which can sometimes make books feel almost overwhelming. It's enough to keep the reader interested and craving more, turning the page fast enough so no time is wasted in finding out what happens next. It's simply that captivating. With short chapters throughout that switch between three different characters, it's easy to pick up and read whenever you have a spare few minutes. In spite of there being multiple characters' point of view, things don't get muddled up, which is something I have experienced with other books. Mitchell does a wonderful job at keeping things unpredictable; when you think you have a clear picture of where things are going, she pulls out another twist that leaves you shocked and begging for answers.

There is one particular chapter I think deserves a mention, but to avoid spoilers I'll keep things brief. Chapter 30 is short yet affected me the most. It's heartbreaking in so many ways and gives the reader a completely new level of understanding for certain characters. Was that Mitchell's intention, to rip our hearts out? Maybe. Maybe not. But it happened and I love her for it.

In short, Left For Dead offers a great plot, well-developed characters and an ending to satisfy everyone.

D I Amy Winter a detective with a very troubled past, manages to get herself into many life threatening situations. However using her guile and wit always manages to save the day leaving her superiors dismayed as they appear to have little control over her actions. But all ends well. A thoroughly enjoyable read.

Thank You to NetGalley and Amazon Publishing UK for this ARC!!

Shopping with her sister, DI Amy Winter is admiring a Valentine’s Day window display of a perfect bride encrusted in diamonds and resplendent in lace—until she notices blood oozing from the mannequin’s mouth.

A post-mortem reveals the victim was left to die on her macabre throne for all to see with a heart carved in her chest. When a second victim is found, it emerges that both women were ‘Sugar Babes’ arranging dates with older men online—and Amy finds herself hunting an accomplished psychopath known as "The Love Heart Killer" .

This is my first book in the DI Amy Winter series and I wonder why on earth didn't I ever read this series before!! I really enjoyed this book and it kept me hooked right till the end. The killer is revealed in the beginning itself but the way he operates gives you the creeps. There are so many twists and turns that you don't see coming. Overall an amazing mystery. Highly recommended!!

Amy and Donovan are realistic characters. Their work and personal lives are believable.
In this story you know who the killer is right from the start. The problem is that Amy needs to prove it. Amy is the child of serial killing parents, so she does her job buy her gut feelings. She will find d that this does not go over well with her new boss. Thanks Netgalley.

I loved this mystery. It was unusual in its premise, filled with twists and turns, lots of tension and well-paced. A couple of sub-plots were well done and relevant.
Mitchell, the author, differentiated the main characters very well, and Amy Winter was a suitably flawed detective but brilliant protagonist.
Recommended for those who enjoy contemporary mysteries.

This is the third in the D I Amy Winters series, and what a fabulous series it is turning out to be.

After finding out that that Amy is the daughter of notorious serial killers Jack and Lilian Grimes, she is even more determined to rid the streets of evil. This book follows gruesome attacks and murder on women that all seem to be linked to The Sugar Babes dating site. Add that to the court hearing of Amy's biological Mum coming up for an appeal and an extremely creepy character who keeps you guessing and you have all the ingredients of a superb read. This is a terrific book by a superb author Caroline Mitchell. HIGHLY RECOMENDED.. Thanks to netgalley for the privilege of offering me this book in exchange for fair and honest reviews.

This is the first time I have read Caroline Mitchell and although this is the 3rd book in the Amy Winters series, you can easily read this as a stand alone. The writing style is very clever, you can feel yourself riding along in the story without being bogged down too much with police jargon. Intriguing storyline, unusual too as you find out who the killer is near the start but that, funnily enough, didn't detract the flow and enjoyment of the book.

My thanks to NetGalley and Amazon Publishing UK for allowing me to read and review honestly.

Shopping with her sister, DI Amy Winter is admiring a Valentine’s Day window display of a perfect bride encrusted in diamonds and resplendent in lace—until she notices blood oozing from the mannequin’s mouth. This is no stunt. A post-mortem reveals the victim was left to die on her macabre throne for all to see. When a second victim is found, it emerges that both women were ‘Sugar Babes’ arranging dates with older men online—and Amy finds herself hunting an accomplished psychopath. As she tracks down the killer, Amy’s instincts go into overdrive when the charismatic head of the agency behind the display makes no attempt to hide his fascination with her serial-killer parents. What exactly does he want from Amy?

Wow, what an incredibly dark, twisted read this is. I have not read the other Amy Winter books but I did not find that to be a disadvantage at all as Mitchell clearly explains previous events and I still found myself feeling like I knew Amy. The read is very fast paced from the beginning, an aspect I loved, and the read made for very intense reading.

The crimes in this are dark and gory, not in a sensational way though and I actually found them to be very original and clever but be warned this is not for the faint hearted. One aspect where this read is unusual is the reader knows from the beginning who the culprit is. We then read perspectives both from Amy and the culprit, enabling us to not only understand them both but also see where the other tricks each other and I found myself swept away into their mind games. The plot for this is very intense and addictive and I could not put it down.

There is a subplot within this around Amy's mother and her appeal, this is where the previous books in the series would come in but as I have already said I honestly did not find it to be a hinderance and I could still appreciate the events taking place.

Mitchell's characters are very good, they feel established as you would expect from a series. I for one enjoyed getting to know them and will be looking out for the next Amy Winter read.

'Left For Dead' is an intense, intoxicating read that was highly enjoyable. I found myself enthralled by this fast-paced crime read.

Thank you to NetGalley and Amazon Publishing UK for an advance copy.

Left For Dead by Caroline Mitchell. Third book in the series featuring Amy Winter. The story moved along fairly quickly with a few obvious twists. Knowing from the beginning (as the reader) who the killer was took away the intensity and suspense of the investigation of the killings. Sam and Marianne were without much depth and it was hard to get invested in their story. The backstory of Amy, her birth family and Lillian's trial is was made the book an interesting read.

Thank you to the publisher, author, and NetGalley for the opportunity to preview the book.

The 3rd DI Amy Winter book in the series, but can’t easily read without reading the previous books. A mannequin in a shop window is not as it seems as it starts bleeding. A second victim is soon found. Winter needs to capture The Love Heart Killer before he strikes again.
Gripping read and well recommended.

I struggled to connect with this book and enjoy its writing. Having never read a book by this author before I was aware that I was coming in on book 3. Normally this wouldn’t bother me as at some point you’re generally brought up to speed with any back story and characters relationship to the lead.

Unfortunately the authors style of drip feeding backstory on this occasion just was t enough. It was clear from the start there was quite a big story to catch up on but I felt held back by not being privy to it early on. This drip feeding of information was also applied to other elements of the book which I began to find a bit annoying as it felt like it was a late edition to a plot that was supposedly moving quite quickly.

Overall it’s an okay read but it wasn’t groundbreaking or utterly gripping in its writing.

Thanks to NetGalley for my advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

DI Amy is out shopping when she spots a rather odd looking valentine’s day window display. A “bride” in all her finery who looks rather real. When blood begins to drip from her mouth it quickly becomes a crime scene. Amy has a new DCI who has brought in a TV team to up the police profile which Amy would rather not do. Amy has her own issues as her biological mother is in prison and due for an appeal hearing shortly. Years ago her and her husband were sent down for several murders. Meanwhile Samuel now runs a very successful marketing company however this does not fulfill him. He has a secret, make that a few. Something that he fantasises about and to do this lives in a totally different world from that of the highly successful millionaire businessman he portrays to the world. Amy has her suspicions but he is squeaky clean, perhaps too much so. I enjoyed this and I liked Amy and her determination. She has a past relationship albeit fleeting with her boss which adds to the spice between them, however she is a very driven DI and relationships are something she now steers well away from. This is the third in the series but happily stands alone (I hadn’t read the others and it worked for me). There is background to Amy and enough given without needing to know what has gone on before. A read that kept me within its pages and one I found very entertaining and enjoyable.
(rest of links as part of blog tour)

Book 3 in the DI Amy Winter series and it’s the best one so far. It took me a while to get into this series after the fantastic Ruby Preston books, but now Amy Winter is a firm favourite. You really have to read the first 2 to understand Amy’s backstory or else the whole new trial of Lillian Grimes won’t make much sense. I love this book, it had me on the edge of my seat throughout. The main story is very dark and fairly graphic but wonderfully written. Relationships are tested and we get a great insight into how much people will do for someone they love. This is a fantastic thriller and I highly recommend it

Having loved the first two books in this series, I was excited to read this one and I wasn't disappointed!

Amy Winter is a fantastic character. She is a police inspector who is the daughter of serial killers, and has really good intuition and a tendency to go 'rogue' in order to catch criminals. I was hooked right from the first page and the plot moves very quickly with some real nail-biting moments towards the end.

There is enough background info to make this readable as a standalone, but I really suggest you read the first two books to properly understand Amy.

Absolutely addicted to the Amy Winter series. How she gets in the mind of someone so evil and creates realistic characters and interesting plots.

Another un put down book. Love the amy winter characters. Twists and turns throughout. It is quite dark and eerie. Whens the next one caroline?

Loved this book! Third in the Amy Winter series, this one even topped the first two books.

Although a series, this can definitely can be read as a standalone!!! (Why not just read them all!)

Plucky Amy Winter, DI, is passed over for the DCI position on her police force. She is not happy. This, especially as Donovan, a once "friend" (close?) takes the DCI position. On the weekend prior to Donovan's start Amy observes something weird in a dress shop. Actually, the mannequin in the wedding dress - to be exact. This takes Amy on quite the mission...

Excellent series!

Many Thanks to Amazon Publishing UK, Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for a super read!

Really enjoyed this book bit as with most series these days the back story is becoming boring and dragging between books.

Wow! This book was a page turner. From the first few chapters, you knew who the killer was so we were going back and forth between Samuel and Amy as each of their own stories were revealed. The twist at the end was well worth it! I definitely recommend giving this a read!

YES YES YES….. the third instalment in the DI Amy Winter series and certainly didn’t disappoint, the opposite in fact, I just love this series, quite different to the standard detective thrillers, Amy was born to serial killers the Beasts of Brentwood, Lillian & Jack Grimes and although she has been brought up as a Winter from the age of 4, she still feels she needs to atone for her birth parents atrocities, not an easy task!

During a shopping trip with her sister in Oxford Street, they stop outside a bridal shop, the display is fantastic, however, on closer inspection, Amy’s instinct takes over, the mannequin is not a mannequin, they don’t bleed or have a blue hue and Amy jumps into action. The body is that of a young woman and at the autopsy, she is discovered to have a small heart shape carved into her chest which mirrors a murder from years ago when a young teacher was found with the same shape, the killer at the time dubbed “the Love Heart Killer”. Amy has yet another brutal case on her hands and you can be damn sure she will have more than one body on her hands…….

With DCI Pike retiring, Donovan has been appointed to take over her job much to Amy’s displeasure (at first as they have history!), can she cope with Donovan being her boss?

As and aside, Lillian Grimes is currently in the middle of her appeal and this is being televised, Amy has a lot going on in her personal life, her biological sisters are backing Lillian for some reason, Lillian has been able to get them onside, what has she promised them and at what cost? Battling her demons from her past, Amy is starting to remember things from her time in the Grimes household, she cannot bear for Lillian to be set free but at the same time, she inadvertently assisted in her case for appeal by finding planted evidence from when Lillian was found guilty initially.

I loved that we got the POV from the killer himself, Sam Black of Black Media, on the face of it, he is a brilliant boss, perfect place to work, has won loads of awards, perfect family but he has a dark side that needs feeding more and more lately. Although Amy believes Sam Black is the murdered, all evidence points elsewhere, but we know Amy is not one to let this go and she works on her instinct and her insight!!

So much going on in this book between the murders, the appeal and Amy’s testimony and her battle with her feelings for Donovan…. Another fantastic instalment, I literally did not put this book down and read it in one sitting…. Break for a cuppa was it! I devoured it, it draws you in straight away and you get submersed in it, a fantastically written police procedural thriller, another winner, I just love this series, thank you Caroline Mitchell.

Third in the DI Amy Winter series, begins with Amy and her sister admiring a window display of a beautiful mannequin dressed in a lace wedding gown, encrusted with diamonds. The beauty and artistry of the display takes their breath away, until Amy notices a tinge of blue around the lips of the mannequin, and the grey pallor of the skin, and when blood begins to trickle from the mouth, she realises with horror that the mannequin is actually a dead body!

A post-mortem shows that the victim was alive when she was placed in the window, but was ‘Left for Dead’.
As more victims turn up, investigations reveal that they all have a connection to an online website named ‘Sugar Babes’, where older men arrange meetings with young women.

The perpetrator of these murders becomes known as The Love Heart killer, after all the victims are found to have had a heart carved into their chest. Amy and her team are clearly dealing with a psychopath here, and even though Amy has a suspect in her sights, the hunt will not only prove to be very difficult, but also dangerous for Amy herself, and tough and brave as she is, she may just have met her match this time.

It goes without saying, for those of us who are familiar with Caroline Mitchell’s DI Amy Winter series, that the dark and scary storylines are excellent and well executed, coming as they do with sub plots that always enhance one’s enjoyment, and in this particular storyline, some chapters are given over to the killer himself, so we know exactly what dark thoughts he’s entertaining, and who his next victim will be. Then there are the twists and turns, and interesting characters, not least Amy, who though very complex and not without her own issues, manages to get the reader onside.

It has to be said that this is another winner for Caroline Mitchell, and I look forward with great anticipation to the next in the series.

I have only recently discovered Caroline Mitchell and I’m so glad I did. This is the third in the Amy Winter series and although can be read as a stand-alone its better to read them in order to get the background of the characters. I couldn’t put the book down and I so wish we didn’t have to wait ages for the next instalment!!

Another great read from Caroline Mitchell . I’ve been a big fan since I first picked up one of her books and they just seem to get better and better.
This is another D.I Amy Winter book and the story rolls along at a great pace with a new crime to solve combined with the continuing back story of what made Amy into the person she’s become.
Once again a great read that I’ll be highly recommending to all.

I love these books! anything by Caroline Mitchell is fantastic! Another well written installment of Amy!!! Very disturbing storyline at the beginning but great writing, suspense, shocks!

I started this book yesterday afternoon and finished it the early hours as couldn't put it down. I love Amy's character, yet again there's a serial killer and this one thinks Amy may be more like her mum than she thinks and tries to tease her to that effect.
Her relationship with her sister, Donovan and her mum all make this a gripping page turner. I can't get enough of this series more please!!!

That scene in the shop window really chilled me. Amy Winter's team really have their work cut out on this case. Amy does seem to have heightened instinct when it comes to sniffing out a suspect.
A brilliantly crafted story that I raced through, desperate for the conclusion.
Seriously creepy in parts!
Thanks to the author for the early copy in which I give my honest opinion.

Thank you to NetGalley and Amazon Publishing UK for supplying a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Left For Dead is the third book in the mystery series featuring DI Amy Winter. While shopping with her sister, Amy notices a mannequin that looks a little too lifelike and discovers the body of a young woman. As the details of her death emerge, the case is eerily similar to an unsolved case from years past. While Amy investigates this death, she is also dealing with her birth mother being on trial for murder.

It is often the case that you can jump into the middle of a series and catch on quickly to the events of precious entries. I did not find that to be the case with this novel. The way Amy's backstory was shared throughout the book felt very disjointed. You would often be in the middle of Amy's thoughts about the current case when a rogue paragraph about her past would be inserted in a way that made little sense to me.

While it took me awhile to get into the book, once I did, the plot really took off. I'm not a huge fan of knowing whodunnit from the beginning but I can see why the author made that choice here. The denouement was still quite a ride. This was a miss for me but if you are interested in this series, I would say to start from the beginning to get the full details of Amy's backstory.

2-1/2 Stars

This is the third in this excellent series by Caroline Mitchell, set in London. Amy Winter, born Poppy Grimes and the daughter of serial killers, is a DI in the Met and somewhat unconventional in her methods of detection. When a mannequin in a bridal shop turns out to be a corpse, Amy finds herself involved in a bizarre case and her instincts are called on to find the killer. In addition we find out more about her family and particularly her mother, who is appealing for release. A very well written and thoroughly engrossing book.

Left for Dead is the latest book in the DI Amy Winter series by Caroline Mitchell and it is another dark police procedural thriller that keeps the pages turning.

Winter has a complex background which impacts how she reacts to circumstances leading to her sometimes taking big risks which can prove costly when faced with a deeply disturbed killer.

The author has created an unique main character and a series that has a twist and Left for Dead Is a worthy addition.

Recommended

Well hello again DI Amy Winters! It's been a while since your last case and I hope your biological mother Lillian isn't still causing trouble. What's that? Oh, you have a nice day planned with your sister, how lovely. But what's that in the display window, a body?
As you can tell, I have been following this series since it began. Left For Dead is the third installment and once again DI Amy has a lot going on, professionally and personally. The biological daughter of two serial-killers, she followed the man who adopted her into the police department. Her unique life perspective allows her to see things others miss and she uses her talent to identify killers.
Unlike the first two books, we know early on the killer's identity. While he and Amy play a game of cat and mouse, Amy must find a way to stop him before he kills again. It doesn't help that this cold-blooded killer puts Amy to a test, nature versus nurture, or that Lillian may be released from prison. If that isn't a full enough plate, Amy finds herself more and more attracted to her boss Donovan, but can she survive long enough to potentially find love?
Another great read by an author who has managed to make her way on to my must-read authors list!

The third book in the DI Amy Winter series begins with a dead body in one of the unlikeliest places: a Valentine's Day storefront window display. Which leads Amy to believe her killer enjoys showing off his prey. I enjoyed the cat and mouse aspect as the killer is revealed early on in the novel, but what makes this book interesting is the interplay between some of the main characters, their backstories, and Amy's famous family with their whacked out dynamics. I have not read the first two in this series and the author was able to seamlessly explain the past events while keeping the present story moving along. After reading this, I am intrigued to go back to the first two in the series!

Thank you to the publisher, author and NetGalley for the opportunity to preview this book.

This book is different in that you know first of all who the killer is, and it is one fabulous read. The detail and police procedures are always explicit as of course Caroline is an ex police woman.

What a shock for Amy to be out shopping for a wedding dress with her sister, and to find the bride in the window is a dead body!

More dead bodies appear and the killer has really upped his game, and it’s almost as if he doesn’t mind being caught. Everyone thinks this man is so wonderful, he’s a pillar of society, but little do they know the dark thoughts that haunt him. He also gets his thrills from Amy’s serial killer parents. Amy finds his morbid fascination worrying, what is his agenda? The fact that Lilian Grimes, Amy’s biological mother, is awaiting her appeal is enough to tip Amy over the edge. Her working life and personal life intermingled throughout the book, with a bit of welcome romance for Amy.

As the crimes are linked to the “Sugarbabes” escorts, Amy goes out of her way to bring down the killer, and when the third Sugarbabe goes missing, she puts herself at risk to catch him.

I just loved this book, and I read it in one day. It is wonderfully written and it gives the reader plenty to think about. It does help if you’ve read the others first to get a better insight into her life.

My thanks to Caroline, the publishers and Netgalley for the ARC.

Thank you to Netgalley and Amazon Publishing for my ARC. I have given an honest unbiased review in exchange
This is the 3rd in the DI Amy Winter series, I absolutely loved the first book, but was a little disappointed with the second, however the 3rd book is back up there.

This is a dark and scary story-line as always, that is well executed, with various sub plots. Lots of interesting characters, that are well developed. Plus having to deal with an arrogant, but charismatic protagonist. We also that the fact that Amy’s biological serial killer mother is appealing against her convictions. Which doesn’t help with her emotions!
A great addition to the series, I was pleased to read the author saying book 4 is under way, I can’t wait.

It's been a while since a DI Amy Winter book has landed in my inbox. Amy Winter is a detective who goes after the worst of killers. She also has a secret which has finally been made public. Amy or Poppy as she was known is the daughter of Lillian and Jack Grimes, the husband and wife killing team. Think of Fred and Rose West but much worse. Lillian is back in court as new evidence has come to light and she maybe free. Amy and her sister are out shopping and they come across a shop widow. A tableau of a beautiful bride sat on a red velvet throne but as Amy looks closer a dribble of blood escapes between the lips of the bride. Amy is known as the psychopath whisperer as she able to think how they do. She is now on the trail of killer like no other. I devoured this book in one sitting, have no nails left, got my heart racing and seriously I can't wait to read more as Amy has unfinished business and this time it is personal. A MUST READ AND SO HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
Thanks to Amazon Publishing UK and Netgalley for the ARC.

This was a great book. I am not into much cop-thrillers, but the beautiful yet simple cover with the lovable orange fonts on it, pulled me into it and the next thing I knew that I could not come out of it.
The MC, Detective Inspector Amy Winter a.k.a. Poppy Grimes (as was she named by her biological mother, who was a serial killer, but had no evidences against her, so was free) was ingenious, apt, intrepid and at the same time feared that her lamentable past might take over her and that her veins had the blood of her biological parents who were both serial killers and she would turn out to be like her parents. She later comes over this feeling and finds herself as a new person.
The criminal Samuel Black who was the love-heart killer (he drugged the women he wished to kill and carved out a heart shape on their chests), was crafty, pawky and slick. He knew how to commit a near-perfect crime. I won't say a "perfect crime", because a perfect crime is not a thing. And just because a perfect crime is not a thing, he is doubted upon by DI Winter who later comes face-to-face with him while he was about to commit the fourth murder.
The side-plot of Samuel's wife, Marianne's thought processes was a good one as she had an incertitude about his husband's loyalty.
Another side-plot which I have mentioned before, was about the DI's biological mother's court trials. This too was a tantallizing one.
Overall, it was a good book and was worth reading.

At long last it’s time for the third book in the DI Amy Winters series, I seem to have been waiting for what seems like forever, as this is one of my favourite crime series and also one of my most anticipated reads of the year. If you haven’t started the series yet it’s one that’s best started from the beginning as Amy has such a fascinating backstory, I promise you it will be time well spent! If you’re not convinced perhaps knowing that the first book Truth and Lies has been optioned for TV may tempt you.Caroline Mitchell captures the reader's attention with a picturesque scene a beautiful bride, looking magnificent in her wedding dress, elaborately posed in a shop window, in full public view. Unfortunately the scene takes a macabre turn, the blushing bride isn’t a mannequin, she’s a murder victim! The victims murder bears similarities to a case twenty years earlier. Are they connected? Is it a copy cat killer? you will just have to buy the book to find out!

As well as tracking down the murderer, there is a secondary plot that focuses on Amy’s personal life but rather than distracting from the main plot it compliments it. Amy’s character is evolving as the series progresses and I really like her character, she forthright and to all appearances lack the ‘team player’ gene, which is hardly surprising when you read her back story, but she has empathy for her victims, determined to get justice for them by fair means or foul. Her past is a burden that weighs heavily on Amy, and every action and reaction as a DI is carefully scrutinised by those who know her history. Amy’s past is a big draw to me and it’s one of the reasons I love this series so much, I’m sure we still have so much to learn.


I always think an author takes a bold step when they reveal the identity of the killer from the start, as part of the enjoyment of reading a crime thriller for me is working out the ‘who dunnit’. Caroline Mitchell uses this ploy to good effect though, because you know the identity of ‘The Love Heart Killer’, there are chapters told from their perspective so you get a sense of their personality, but you also get a chilling insight in to the mind of one seriously depraved psychopath. You know exactly what dark thoughts they are entertaining, and who their next victim will be, adding an element of anticipation as you wait for the killers next move.

Caroline Mitchell is one of my favourite authors for a very good reason, i always find her plots imaginative, she knows exactly how to grab the readers attention from the off. Left For Dead is another stellar addition to the series, it’s a fast paced read, with a fascinating array of characters, some you will love and others will make your skin crawl. The author leaves the reader with a teaser, which has left me incredibly excited for the next book in the series. This is a series I would gladly recommend to crime junkies, the plots veer towards the dark side, which is always an attraction for me, I'm sure a psychiatrist would have something to say about that! Highly recommended

This review will be edited prior to publication on my blog

Addictive and dark! I simply enjoyed this book. This is my very first book to the series, not knowing it was actually the third installment for DI Amy Winters Series. It was a total page turner! Couldn't wait to read the previous books. The plot, the writing was totally very easy to read. And the pacing was really great! No dull moments in this book!

This is the third in this series starring Amy Winter. As per usual, I am going to recommend you start from book one and read in order. Although this can be read as a stand alone - the main story is self-contained - you'll be missing out on character background and development if you don't.
So, Amy is out shopping when she sees something strange in a shop window. The mannequin of the bride appears to be bleeding. She rushes into the window and her fears are founded. The bride is a dead body. The troops are called in to investigate in earnest, tracing the window-dressers back to the company. Amy visits the boss of said company and things start to get a bit strange. When there's another death in similar circumstances, further investigations throw up a link between the victims. The pieces are all starting to come together but can they prove what they believe?
Ooo this was deliciously dark and chilling. Amy is a bit of a character in herself, what with her personal background and all, but this side of her complements rather than distracts from the situations and cases the author puts her in. Amy's family life is pretty much hauled over the coals throughout this book as a bit of a side plot.
Pacing is perfect, plotting is sublime and, with no superfluous padding, the story gets on with itself very well. Characters are well described - both series ones and episodes ones, major and minor alike.
All in all a great addition to what is shaping up to be cracking series. Roll on next time. My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.

Thank you NetGalley and Amazon publishing for a copy of Left for Dead. Which is Caroline Mitchell third book in the D.I. Amy Winter series.
It is Valentine’s day and Amy is shopping for a gift with her sister. When they come across a mannequin on display that is far too lifelike. There is blood running out of the corner of the mannequin’s mouth and their eyes are taped open. The killer leaves a calling card with the shape of a heart. This is the calling card of the ‘Love heart Killer’. Which is the same M.O as a woman that was murdered 20 years previously. Is this a copycat killer? Then another body is found somehow linked to Sugar babes Phone app. Amy heads the case.
Amy’s personal life is into question. Now the truth about her biological parents have come out in the open. Amy’s struggles of doing the right thing as a Police officer and worrying that she will turn out like her mother Lillian Grimes. The memories are all coming back to her after she has been asked to give evidence in court for Lillian’s upcoming appeal hearing.
This another gripping page turner from the author. Miss Mitchell knows her stuff. I thought it professionally researched and had some heart stopping moments. Another five stars from me.

I've been turning to Caroline Mitchell's thrillers for years now whenever I'm in the mood for a thrilling ride. I first met DI Amy Winter back in 2018 and I was instantly intrigued by the background of this character. I think that it's no secret that I have a weird obsession with serial killer stories... Having a main character that is first adopted by a cop and now a DI herself, but on the other hand having her biological parents being a twisted serial killer duo? Talk about a background that had me hooked immediately! We learned more about Amy's past in the first two books, and her personal storyline continues to develop in this third installment. This is one of the reasons why I would recommend reading the first books before tackling Left For Dead, as it would be a lot more difficult to get a proper grip on the dynamics between and development of the various characters in play. Plus, if you like intense detective thrillers with a dark twists, you will be in for a treat with all three in the first place.

Left For Dead continues where book two ended and once again we hear quite a lot of Amy's biological mother Lillian Grimes and her appeal. The main focus is on the new case and the new dynamics in Amy's team with the appearance of Donovan as the new DCI of course, but you will feel that Lillian's presence is never far away and always lurking in the background. I like how the balance shifted a little and we see more of Donovan, although I hope these new dynamics won't slow Amy down in the future... In book three Amy is still as fierce as ever though and I like how she uses her background and intimate knowledge of the twisted minds of her parents to get inside the heads of other serial killers. She definitely has an instinct for hunting and isn't afraid to go off the books to get results... Even if it brings danger in the picture.

Left For Dead has a multiple POV structure, helping us follow both sides of the law as well as allowing the story to hide certain facts until the plot is ready to reveal the truth. The plot itself is interesting, and while the identity of the killer is revealed very early on, it was still very much a thrilling ride as Amy and her team try to catch him. The story has lots of twists and turns and while there are no mayor surprises to speak of, it was still a very satisfying detective thriller read as a whole. The ending was a shocker too, and I definitely can't wait to discover how things will continue now.

The DI Amy Winter series has provided one solid and dark detective thriller after the other so far, and Left For Dead is no exception. In this third book, we have another twisted case on our hands as well as developments relating to Amy's mother and her appeal... Recommended if you enjoy the genre.

Loved this book. Had me gripped from the very start and looking forward to reading the next book in this series.

# Left For Dead # Netgallery
Oh gosh where on earth to start. Caroline Michell as definitely gone up a few more than a 5 star 🌟 rating with this one. I was totally totally addicted.once again from the first chapter. It's real but raw set of different circumstances. That really pulls you deep into the book It actually feels like you can feel Amy's fear of Lillian Grimes as her new trial is gaining momentum and Amy's dread of being called as a witness in her murdering biological mother with Any now part of a new elite bigger team she's leading or so she thinks until Donovan turns up to find him now being her boss, with a camera crew also following her and the team about, making a documentary. Amy is shopping with her sister who seems even more scared of Lillian Grimes. But she also wants to see her before she gives evidence against her, her survival was almost nothing short of a miracle after their farther had tried to kill her, suddenly as they look into a shop window at the beautiful mannequin set with such a gorgeous dress and jewellery,only Amy realises its no mannequin at all it's a women barely breathing never the the less Any breaks the glass of the shop window, as her sister hold Amys phone close to her as she's calling It in but also trying to save the women's life at the same time. The nightmare begins.It's the best one yet I did not think. After book 2 of the Amy Winter's series could get any better. what I love 💘about Caroline Mitchell she writes with such passion you can feel it. Also with real emotion. The atmosphere and the characters .coming alive and you can relate in many ways with the team maybe not all them all. however you actually feel part of the team yourself, having been a police officer before she became a author. Helps of course with the procedures of policing..I think their are no more than half a dozen authors with such superb descriptive of each character.I genuinely do not think book four will surpass this one,but I thought that about book 2 yet here we are again with this one just such a brilliant writer.. review slightly different take to my normal reviews I wanted it to not just review the book but also the author as well. I can seriously say this you would !really missing out if you do not read this one, anyone new

This is the third book in the Amy Winter series, in which Amy is returned to her past, having horrific flashbacks to a time she’s spent her whole life trying to forget.

I honestly get so excited when I see there is a new book in this series, and this one certainly exceeded my expectations, yet again.

Top marks for Left For Dead, Caroline has done it again!!

Left for Dead is a fast paced thriller featuring DI Amy Winters, with lots of additional subplots that really do keep you turning the page. This thriller is a little different in that from the beginning the reader knows who the killer is, and for me, this did take away all the guessing that I like to do (usually I"m wrong). Amy's backstory and the trial with her biological mother is excellent and this really kept me interested. The writing is fluid and the characters are really well written too. The lack of mystery into the killer was a little disappointing for me but I did find myself trying to guess how Amy was going to catch him. All in all, it was a great story and I look forward to reading more from the author.

I found the story quite slow to begin with,, but then found I couldn’t put it down til I’d finished reading. I thought the portrayal of the main character, Amy/Poppy was well written and I’m looking forward to seeing how she develops in the next book.

Great storyline in the third instalment of Amy Winters. As usual the author Caroline Mitchell doesn’t disappoint...
Combining elements of Amy's personal and professional life the plot twist and turns and keeps you guessing.
Highly recommend and looking forward to the next adventure.
Thanks

Left for Dead is the third book in the DI Amy Winter series. I haven’t read the two previous books but found any major points had been re-capped so you can certainly read this as a stand-alone. I found the plot flowed well and at a steady pace with some great characters. I particularly liked Amy’s character and found her to be relatable. The chapters are fairly short so you can easily think I’ll just read one more and then find you’ve read quarter of the book. All in all a great four star read. Thank you to NetGalley, Amazon Publishing UK and the author for the chance to review.

Loving this series! This is another great addition to the DI Amy Winters series, Caroline Mitchell does not disappoint!

The background of this character is so intriguing and I want to know more! It will be interesting to see where this story line goes with evil Lillian Grimes being released from jail.

This was a fast paced enjoyable read and I cannot wait to read book 4! Wait, is there a book 4 ? Please say there is!

A big thank you to Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for allowing me the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book!

This is the third book in the DI Amy Winter series and I'm delighted to saw that it's as good as the first two. Great characters and a cracking plot. I usually prefer to be kept in the dark as to the identity of the killer, but this is so well written that it didn't matter. So pleased to see that there will be a fourth book in this series.

I am a huge fan of Caroline Mitchell and have read all of her books. This series is an intriguing one as DI Amy Winter is a complex character and also with her background has a lot of stories to her. I think the Lillian story will be quite an interesting one as she seems a nasty character. Must read. Thanks to #NetGalley for this advanced copy. #LeftForDead

Oh Lordy, I LOVE This book ! hooked from the first page is an understatement, it felt like I’d walked into an all mans pub wearing just my pants!😱 you know like when a camera in a film just zooms onto one person? YOUR IT! Caroline Mitchell has an extremely clever ability to be able to let you become part of the book, or not, if you do, you tune into a character right away it’s brilliant !
This is a great solid police procedural read, 3rd book in the DI Winter series great as a stand alone but so much better if you read 1&2 first to get a feel for Winters and the team and how they work..it’s exciting, even to a point you can’t actually put the book down, perfect for these times when you can read for as long as you like!
Some of it was a little disturbing which made it al that more convincing and delicious to read.

Lots of alleyways of the book to follow but not too many to get lost in but great to involve yourself in.
A fabulous read all round you will love this and go looking for more Caroline Mitchell reads which I highly recommend you do.

Another brilliant book in the series by Caroline Mitchell. Fantastic and I would highly recommend this authors books, particularly this series. Brilliant and not for the faint hearted.

Book Review: Left For Dead (DI Amy Winter #3) by Caroline Mitchell
(Published by Thomas & Mercer)

4.25 Stars

The third iteration of Caroline Mitchell's gripping detective thriller series of the biological daughter of notorious serial killers cum London detective, Amy Winter, culminates in a confrontation with the devil - herself.

(Readers definitely have to read the first two books to understand nuances and fully enjoy the series.)

The "Poppy, Dotty and Lilian" show momentarily takes backstage to a delicious soup-and-bones serial killer plot - a slippery, sadistic pervert engaged in the macabre, wreaking havoc in the guise of an up-and-coming marketing executive.

The devious plot then reverts back to a finále, for which the author nicely sets the stage in what can only be the final showdown in Amy Winter's career - and life - which promises to be a breathtaking follow-up novel.

* * * * *

What makes the author's compelling and lends it authenticity may stem from her own real life experience as a former Crime Investigation Department (CID) specialist dealing with vulnerable high-risk victims of domestic abuse and serious sexual offences.

Insubordination as second nature. And yet, Caroline Mitchell doesn't neglect to keep it real, keep it human. Indeed, Amy Winter has her flaws, is at times an embarrassment to herself with a propensity to act on gut instinct, is beset with bitterness, intradepartmental police politics seemingly bypassed for a promotion, is ever so often bored down to mindlessly watching Netflix, - and then there's this lingering deep longing for a relationship and affection.

Yes, I do definitely anticipate that fourth novel, an impending fine read!

Review based on an e-galley ARC from Amazon Publishing UK and Thomas & Mercer through NetGalley.

This is book 3 of the series, after Truth and Lies and The Secret Child, and the first I had read of the series. Sometimes I realize I have read so many British police procedurals, that I THINK I have started a series, when actually I haven't, it's just similar. That was the case with this book! But now, I want to go back and read the previous 2 books! Yeah, more books for the reading list!

DI Winter is an interesting character- the child of not 1 but 2 serial killers, she now faces the unlikely thought of her motehr being freed. She's adamant it is a con her mother is playing on the public, but her sisters think otherwise. Meanwhile she gets drawn into a case that is starting to seem eerily familiar, to that of her parents' crimes. It's the perfect set up for a writer, and reader, and you know as the moves along it will turn into a race against time/roller coaster, and it does! This page turner will ahve you rethinking just how well we know those around us. Definitely add this series to your Summer read-a-thon!

Caroline has done it again.
Just finished this book and will be checking under my bed before I get in it for a while.
3rd in the Amy Winter series, we follow the case as she hunts for The Loveheart Killer. While out shopping with her sister, they look into a window display and Amy spots something isn’t right. The dummy is in fact a dead body.

We meet wealthy business man Samual Black owner of Black Media the company behind the Display. On the outside he appears to be a family man but Amy sees beneath this facade and is determined to put his crimes to an end

The image of a dead body posed as a mannequin in a bridal shop is one of the creepiest and cleverest murder scenes I've encountered for a while. It's stayed with me since I read Left for Dead (which was about a month ago - I'm way behind on reviews), as has the book as a whole because it's really good.
What did I like about it? The central character Amy Winter for a start. This is the third book in a series - the others are crackers too - and she makes a great main protagonist. She's smart, dogged, and just that little bit messed up thanks to a crappy childhood that you'll need to read book one to find out more about.
These traits mean she won't let go of a case till she's solved it. They also mean she has a tendency to put herself in danger. Which brings me to my second 'like', the suspense that runs through the book. It does keep you on the edge of your seat, even though you know who the killer is from the beginning. This is hard to do and I think Caroline Mitchell should be commended for doing it so well.
And that leads me quite nicely into the third main reason I enjoyed this book. The writing. Caroline Mitchell is good. She paints a great picture and makes you believe in what is happening on the page. If the book I'd read before it hadn't been so mediocre, I may not have realised just how good. It definitely made a sharp contrast. And it's why - if I used a star rating - I'd definitely go for five stars. A great read and highly recommended.

This is the third book in the DI Amy Winter series but it can be read as a stand-alone. It is set around London and Essex. DI Amy Winter stumbles across a stunning shop window display featuring a very lifelike mannequin. Then Amy spots blood dripping from it’s mouth. Get ready for another British crime thriller from Caroline Mitchell.

I thought Left For Dead got off to a very exciting start as the posing of the victim was unusual. I liked how there were chapters devoted to the point of view of the bad guy. The moods the bad guy shared with the reader were creepy and very dark. I still can’t get that song out of my head, Push the Button by the Sugababes.

I liked once again how Caroline captured the cultures within the police service, the interview techniques they use and the regulations they must consider like RIPA - Regulation of Investigatory Powers. Once again mention was made of Amy’s pet, Dotty the Pug.

Sadly Left For Dead follows the format of the second DI Amy Winter book, The Secret Child by switching backwards and forwards in time, letting the reader know a lot more than DI Amy Winter and her team. Yet again the story is bulked out by the appeal of Amy’s birth mother Lillian Grimes. This drags the story down and makes it become a soap opera. I found Left For Dead not as good as her previous books and simply a run of the mill crime drama. From an amazing start Left For Dead became an OKAY read, which I did not enjoy as much as her other books, so it gets a middle score of 3 stars from me.

I liked the first book in this series and love the second. The characters have really developed especially Amy the main character. I took a while to warm to her in the first book but book really brings her fiery and strong personality out. the short chapters are great for when you have a busy life style and need to put the book down, with that said, this book is so hard to put down but the short chapters do help if you must.
The background story with Amy's biological parents is engaging and fits well into the main plot.
I see these books becoming my new favourite female hero.

I have read quite a few books from this author, enjoyed them all and this was no exception. I found it to be an excellent read with good, well developed characters and it kept me on the edge of my seat throughout.

This book held my interest throughout and I have no hesitation in recommending this exciting read.

Thank you to Netgalley and Amazon Publishing for giving me the opportunity to read this book.

This is my first read on the DI Amy series, and it doesn’t feel like I made a mistake of not reading the first two books before starting this one. Amy is brilliant and observant, and she does what she does best. She has to deal with unfortunate thoughts about her parents, but that didn't stop her from excelling in her job. This book is very creepy and intriguing. I seriously reach the point where I was like catch that bastard already. The crimes are horrific. The story was told on multiple points of view, but that didn't bother me (usually, it does) the author did great on that as well, it is not confusing, it’s direct to the point. I like it.

Amy Winter is back better than ever. It felt great to be back in this universe. All my favorite characters are back, Paddy, Donovan, and yes even Lilian Grimes makes several appearances. Left For Dead, is a high stakes game of cat and mouse. Caroline Mitchell's writing will keep you rooted to your seat as Amy goes head to head with the killer.

Well if you are looking for a book full of tension that is also going to make your skin crawl, then this may well be the book for you. Left For Dead by Caroline Mitchell is that latest book in the DI Amy Winter series and sees Amy pitched against a killer who likes to satisfy his urges by murdering young women and leaving them on display in very public places. He creates a kind of work of art, far from grotesque, and yet still creating an exceedingly macabre tableau in which his victims are literally left to die.

We know from the very beginning of this book who the killer is, and Amy soon has a strong suspicion of who it may be too. These books really aren't about discovering the who. It's more about tracking the evidence, identifying the motive, and finding a way to stop the killer in their track, in this case meaning Amy needs to put herself well and truly in harm's way in a tense and high impact showdown.

This was an intriguing investigation to follow, watching the team as they tried to find the link between the young victims. The killers methods are certainly unusual and the graphic way in which they display their handiwork to the world, particularly given the timing so close to Valentine's Day, made me really interested into getting into the psychology of the killer and why they did what they did. What was it that drove them to kill and how could their family not realise what kind of person they were. Caroline Mitchell has created a really creepy and unnerving foe for Amy to battle this time around, the contrast of their outward charm against the sneering, contemptible evil that we know is hidden just beneath the surface. For people living alone, I think that this book will have you double checking your locks at night and possibly considering investing in a new bed - just in case ...

I really like the character of Amy Winter. She has a very complicated past, one which takes centre stage at times this time around too, as her mother, a convicted serial killer herself, is set to return to court to have an appeal heard. This adds a layer of tension to Amy's already turbulent private life and also proves a point of fascination for the serial killer du jour. It was really fascinating watching this play out, wondering if the hold that Lillian Grimes has over her daughter would continue into the courtroom. Add in a kind of romantic twist as her former 'almost' lover is now her immediate Superior, and the scene is set for Amy to be pulled in all directions, adding conflict in an already fractious situation.

I raced through this book, loving the complicated and twisted ties between Amy and the Killer, and it is possibly my favourite in the series so far. If you love a Detective thriller with great characters and fast paced action that will keep you on edge, then pick this series up. Definitely worth starting at the beginning though. You'll understand the complex relationship between Amy and her family so much better if you do.

Ooooh, I do like me a new Caroline Mitchell novel! And I have missed Amy Winter :) This book can easily be read as a standalone but the Amy Winter series is terrific so why wouldn't you start at the beginning?

Amy is a good police officer who has a sixth sense about serial killers. Is this because her biological parents WERE serial killers? Hmmm. Her bio mother is certainly a piece of work and her involvement in the lives of Amy and her siblings makes my blood run cold. However, Amy is one strong woman.

She is trying to solve a number of murders and even though we find out early on who the murderer is, the way that he manipulates everyone around him is very interesting indeed. I was cheering both Amy and Marianne on, loudly!

Can't wait to read the next book in this series :)

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer.

Left for Dead is the third book in a series, which I wasn't aware of when I started reading the book. I certainly didn't feel this book was incomplete in any way and would be happy to recommend it as a standalone book to anyone looking for a good mystery thriller.

The start of the book is one of the best ones I have ever read -talk about shocking! The rest of the novel definitely delivers, and I very much enjoyed reading it.

There is a small subplot involving a romantic story line with its own mini twist. I also enjoyed the backstory of the main character, DI Amy Winter so I will be reading the previous two books.

All in a all, a great book with a satisfying ending.

Disclosure: I would like to thank Netgalley and the publisher for my advanced reader copy of the book. This is my honest review.

Left for Dead is book three in the DI Amy Winter series. Best read in order as it does make references to the previous books. It's been a while since I read one by Caroline and I forgot just how good she is. This book has it all! There is always something happening to keep the reader flicking the pages.

Amys gut feeling is back but is she right? When bodies start turning up in the most public of places the team know they have to act fast. They are up against a clever, determined and twisted killer. As in the previous books we get to see the personal side of Amys life and it isn't pleasant, she has a lot to deal with lately... But that won't stop her.

A gripping, dark, twisted, disturbing, deep, haunting, hallowing case. Full of suspense, a real page turner and an edge of your seat your seat read! It's brilliant. I cannot wait to see what the rest of this series brings us. A well deserved four stars from me. Highly recommend.

Before my request I hadn’t realised that Left For Dead is the third instalment in the DI Amy Winter Thriller book series (although while it is not necessary to read the previous two, I would have liked to know Amy’s character a little more before reading this one). As usual, Caroline Mitchell did not disappoint with her latest offering.

DI Amy and her sister out shopping stumble across a woman in a bridal shop window (dressed to look like a mannequin). From the initial crime scene this new case bears some of the hallmarks of a murder which occurred 20 years ago and involved a small heart shape being carved into the victim’s body.

Amy is determined to find who did this and it doesn’t take long for her to focus on one particular individual. While all this is going on Amy’s mother is standing trial and she is also getting flashbacks to her appalling childhood. Along with this, her old DCI (Pike) has retired, and her replacement just happens to be Donovan (with whom she had a previous relationship)– Amy is not sure whether she is happy about this or not! I loved Amy’s no nonsense, fearless approach to handling and eventually solving this crime.

A real page-turner for crime novel fans. Loved Amy’s family backdrop story and the twist (which I really did not see coming) towards the end!

I was quite intrigued with this book’s cover & creepy blurb! Sadly, it’s a very slow build with a predictable whodunnit. MC Amy Winter is a tough as nails inspector/ DI who discovers a real body posed as a mannequin. This fits a previous unsolved case, known as, The Love Heart Killer. At the same time, Amy’s biological mother is on trial. It felt like reading two stories. This is Book 3, I would suggest reading Books 1 and 2 as I was a bit lost. Thank you NetGalley and Amazon Publishing UK for an ebook ARC. This is my honest review.

I had to stop reading this book! I was really lost confused. This is book 3 and I need to go back and read those two and then read this one. The synopsis sounded promising though.

Left For Dead is another tense thriller in Caroline Mitchell’s DI Amy Winter series. In the opening chapters, by accident, Amy Winter comes across the body of a young woman in a shop’s display window. The macabre discovery sparks an intense police investigation. But what strikes Amy is a significant link between this killing and the killing of a teacher decades earlier. The culprit behind the murder has remained at large ever since. It seems that this is the start of a new killing spree, and the killer is willing to do anything to make sure he goes undetected.

What made this book really intriguing is that we know who the killer is very early on in the novel and if anything, I found this made the story even more tense. We can see how keen they are to make sure that they aren’t discovered as the culprit behind the crimes. What is even more disturbing is the lengths they are willing to go to make this certain. Amy Winter has a hunch who they are, but with a suspect already in custody, she knows it is going to be very difficult to convince her colleagues that they’ve got the wrong man. This means that Amy will have to do a lot of work on her own, and it’ll mean going against the orders and advice of her superiors.

What I liked about this book is Amy’s growing relationship with her boss, although I do wonder as they work closely together whether this will have an impact on their relationship. But I am interested to see where Caroline Mitchell will take this in future books. Another part of the story which feeds into this book is Amy’s relationship with her birth mother, serial killer Lillian Grimes. This is a really tense part of the narrative as you are never sure what hand Lillian is going to play next. Her retrial is fast approaching and Amy is willing to do anything that she possibly can to stop her mother from being released. It appears that Lillian is playing games with her family and all of a sudden it seems possible that she’ll soon be walking free.

As Amy gets closer to catching the killer, Caroline Mitchell continues to raise the tension. You know that she is risking her career by doing this, but all that matters to Amy is getting justice for the victims, and making sure that this despicable killer is locked up behind bars.

After reading the final chapters in this book, it’s going to be really interesting to see where Caroline Mitchell takes things next and what this will mean for Amy. I’ve raced through the last few books in this series, and I can’t wait to see what Caroline Mitchell has in store for us next.

Thanks to #Netgalley, #Amaz0n Publishing UK and the author #Caroline Mitchell for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.
This is the third book in the #DI Amy Winter series, and although I have read the first book I feel that this could be read as a standalone. The plot and sub-plots of this book kept me riveted with the links between DI Winter’s personal and professional life being so well written, and although we knew who the killer was I had no idea how DI Winter was going to prove it. I cannot wait to read the fourth book in this series!!

spoiler alert ** This is the third in the Amy Winter series,and I've enjoyed them all equally.
This time around we had a murderer who was at times evil genius,and at other times,just over the top camp.
What keeps me coming back though,is the family history,and Amy's mother,the real evil genius,who has huge scope for the next book now she's out of prison.
The whole psychology of the children supporting her is riveting.
Enjoyable book,with a few good twists.

The third instalment in the DCI Amy Winters series 'Left For Dead' follows the daughter of serial killers Jack and Lillian Grimes as she stumbles upon a case that has echoes of her parents. Amy and her team must work against the clock to find the killer before they find her. A gripping novel that effortlessly entwines Amy's work and personal storylines to produce a well-paced and clever plot.
Personally, knowing who the murderer is pretty much from the get go takes away the mystery element that I enjoy with thrillers so I deducted half a star. I also deducted half a star for the sometimes unbelievable events that transpire throughout the story.
Overall, I think most of the characters were well-rounded and the story was left not unfinished but with potential for more development for them. This was my first foray into Caroline Mitchell's works and my first venture into the world of Amy Winters (which did leave me mildly confused but there is enough backstory in this book to understand most of Amy's past). An enjoyable and easy thriller. Thanks to NetGalley and publishers Thomas & Mercer for an ARC.

DI Amy Winter has to follow all of her intuition to catch the serial killer that is killing "sugarbabes" in a gruesome way. Getting one step ahead of the killer, however, puts her directly in his path. This was a good plot. Although the killer is identified fairly early on, it doesn't distract from the suspense. Characters are well-rounded and it was a good read

Caroline Mitchell is such a talented writer! This book is the third of a series featuring DI Amy Winter. It works very well as a stand-alone book. However, Amy’s dark backstory as the biological child of serial killers is so fascinating, it would be worth the reader’s time to read the first two books in the series. This is a good story, as well as a good police procedural. I am happy that - as Ms. Mitchell noted in her Author’s Note - there is more to come!

This is one series of books that I absolutely love. A detective with a serial killer for a mother is always going to grab any crime thriller fans attention. Lillian Grimes as much as I hate her, is a brilliant character and along with Amy, keeps me rushing back for more.

In this story, we get to meet another killer who is very much a psychopath. I adore how this author creates such fantastic characters that keep the reader glued to the pages. The murders are horrific with the killer being extremely twisted. There is an almost cat and mouse feel not just with the killer and the police but with Amy and her biological mother also. It felt almost like a battle of minds.

Even though the story focuses on some of the investigative side of things, the author makes sure there is never a dull moment. We have two threads with Amy investigating her current case as well as having to deal with old ghosts that had me hanging on to every word.

Left For Dead is the perfect read for fans of serial killers. Not only do we get to see the evil that resides in these killers minds but also the affect it has on others that are to close for comfort. You can’t help feel for Amy who wants to put right what her parents have done by doing the job she does but also the inevitable lime light that comes with it which therein causes issues in itself. There were some nice little twists as well as great detective work that made this another winner in the series for me. An absolute must read!

Amy Winter is such a great character and the fact that she has such an interesting family makes it even more fun to read.

I love how she is trying to remain free from the influence of her birth mother.  It is so fun to see especially in this book as she shows a bit of her mothers style.

It is hard at times when dealing with a series as you always seem to go back to the previous books.  This series never seems to have that happen as they keep building on what has already made this series brilliant.

Amy is one of the best characters that I have seen designed and I love reading about her exploits and about her trying to get away from her biological mother. 

I think that this book is great and has so many great psychological aspects.  I love seeing the story unfold and how Amy deals with it.

I love police procedural books! The premise of this series is great! I did not realize it was a series when I originally started, but the author does a good job of summarizing a little and letting you know who characters are, so you can pick up one book without feeling like you are missing vital parts of the characters or overall plot.

I did really like DI Amy Winter and DCI Donovan! They are a fun duo in this book and I am interested to go back to past books and read a little more!

Where I think this one missed the mark for me was that Winter is supposed to be a "psychopath whisperer" since she is the daughter of serial killers. I really wish we would have gotten more into her mind and process because it is such a unique characteristic in the MC. I really would love to see more of an emphasis on how she works and sees things differently than other detectives around her. Other than the relationship between the Winter and Donovan, the other relationships seemed stilted and not well fleshed out.

I do think I will give this series another shot because the premise is very good!

Left For Dead is the third book in the DI Amy Winter police procedural series by former Detective Caroline Mitchell, about the daughter of serial killers who was rescued and adopted out, and now hunts them herself as the head of a specialist police team. Each novel is a separate story but it would all make more sense if you read them in order, as there’s not quite enough recap of Amy’s backstory here. I didn’t enjoy this one as much as the earlier two, but it’s still a well written and paced English thriller.

Amy is shopping with her older sister when she realises that the mannequin in a wedding dress in the Valentine’s Day window display is actually a dead woman. The killer is the well known head of a glamorous advertising company, who has been using an escort service to select his victims. Amy suspects him from the start but he’s too smart to leave any evidence and is setting someone else up as a suspect. Distracted by the very public appeal of her mother against her life sentence for murder, and her complicated relationship with her new DCI, Amy will do whatever it takes to stop the next murder...

While the premise of a dedicated police officer haunted by her parents’ guilt is interesting, Amy’s reckless arrogant stupidity really put me off her this time. While I don’t mind knowing in advance who the killer is, I don’t like spending so much time in their head - although learning his backstory made a nice change as at least we understand the reasons why Samuel is compelled to kill. The dual plots - unrelated - did keep the suspense up although the outcome of neither was a surprise - I had hoped for more of a twist. I didn’t mind the tiny bit of romance with the unbelievably tolerant Donovan, as it didn’t get in the way of the plot, nor are we subjected to any tedious sex scenes. We get to know the rest of the team a tiny bit more, but I would like the other characters to be developed more fully. 3.5 rounded up for a good if unoriginal story overall.

Thanks to NetGalley and Amazon UK for the ARC which allowed me to give an honest review. Left for Dead is published on July 7th.

I have been waiting very impatiently for the next DI Amy Winter book and was so excited when I stumbled across it one day on NetGalley. However, I hadn’t realised that it had been 16 months since I read the last one, so it did take me some time to get reacquainted with the characters and to remember everything that had gone before.
I can’t say I remember everything that had happened, and unfortunately, I didn’t have the time to go back and read books one and two at the moment. I did start to remember snippets, as I progressed throughout the book and not having the full picture in my mind, didn’t stop me from enjoying this one. I would say though that this can not be read as a stand-alone book, you need to have some knowledge of the past. The author doesn’t waste time reiterating what has gone on; there are no recaps to fill you in.
The investigation in this book is very gruesome and detailed. It is undoubtedly a twisted mind of a killer. I love the fact that we know who the killer is right from the start; we are following their thoughts and life interspersed with the investigation. It really has a different feel to it than other crime books I have read recently where you are kept in the dark until the end. Here you know their motives straight away; you know what they are planning and what they are thinking. This doesn’t mean that there aren’t some shocks in store for you as the story progresses.
Along with the investigation, we are also following Lillian Grimes’ appeal. We had started to see the start of that in the last book, but here we get the real fallout from it. I’d say along with running parallel to the investigation the author had done a fantastic job of intertwining this with the main story also. It wasn’t just sat there on the periphery, making you feel as if you were reading two different books but was superbly connected.
It was great to be back with DI Amy Winter and the team, and I hope this wasn’t the last we hear from her. I will be rereading the first three books, though, before I embark on anymore (if there are any) to really be able to appreciate the continuity.

This is the third book in the DI Amy Winter’s series and really you do need to read the two previous books before this one. What a belting series this is, this author’s best work ever.
The story begins for Amy where the last book ended, with everyone now knowing her true background. Decisions at work are being made on the bloodline she is from rather than her ability and past record of service in the force.
There is a new spate of killings taking place and killer is more than excited that Winter’s is playing a part in the investigation. You know who the killer is, he is charming and not new to killing, he hasn’t been lucky, he is just very efficient at what he does.
While the investigation goes on, the appeal of Lothesome Lillian Grimes begins at court. My frustration bubbled and boiled along with Winter’s with the testimony on every page.
What a busy book this is, it is literally page-turner after pager turner from the start to finish. I love how the core characters have developed and feel like I have known them years, especially Lillian. Whenever Lillian is present she just commands the attention and could sweet talk you to believe that she is just a misunderstood granny.
I love the twistiness of this story. Do you really ever know someone, or even yourself? An outstanding read.
I wish to thank NetGalley and the publisher for an e-copy of this book which I have reviewed honestly.

I love this series by Caroline Mitchell! I wish I had discovered it earlier - her writing drew me in right from the start. This is the third book about DI Amy Winter, a petite yet fierce DI who is coming to grips with being the daughter of notorious serial killers. While she helped put away her parents at the age of four, her mother Lillian, through clever manipulation, ensured that she would get an appeal which is currently underway. This makes it hard for Amy to focus on the current case of the Love Heart Killer, who first struck 20 years ago. Now he is back (they think) and staging his victims in elaborate displays. He hunts them on a website geared towards wealthy old men to meet woman who provide them with a classy girlfriend experience. The killer has other plans.

We're provided with alternate points of views that give the reader an idea of who is guilty before Amy and her team track them down. Her team is another source of stress, as she became close to her new DCI when they were just colleagues; now, have to adapt to being in a boss and employee relationship, as well. It's difficult because Amy continues to go rogue as she follows her instincts which gets her in trouble with her superiors even though she's nearly always right. Because of her past and the current situation with her incarcerated mother, she's determined to do whatever it takes to get justice for victims and alleviate the guilt she feels for her family's misdeeds.

I believe it's easier to read this one if you have read the preceding books, but it's not completely necessary, as the previous stories are recapped briefly to explain the situations. It's a real page turner with a down to earth heroine who doesn't just go through the motions. Amy is a conflicted soul who constantly struggles to balance doing her job by professional standards but also by following her morals and ethics. You can't help but root for her, hoping that she will persevere no matter what the odds.

Many thanks to NetGalley, Thomas & Mercer, and Caroline Mitchell for the opportunity to read and review the latest in the Amy Winter series. Sadly, I didn't read the first two in this series; I will definitely go back and get caught up after reading and loving this book! 4.5 stars for an intriguing police procedural written by a former police detective so she knows her stuff!

Amy Winter is shopping with her sister when she notices a mannequin in a store window is actually a deceased person. How creepy is that? It gets creepier when they discover a heart carved into her chest, just like a body that was found decades ago and never solved. Upon investigating, Amy discovers a connection to a Sugar Babes website that offers a girlfriend experience to men (even more creepy). Throughout the investigation, Amy's personal life is also spooling out in the public as her biological mother/serial killer gets a new trial.

I was riveted to this story as Amy races to nail down the killer before he kills again. If I had read the first two books in the series, Amy's family background story would have been even more intriguing but it was still a great plot line in this book. I loved the character of Amy - how she fought against her biological history to make sure that she caught the bad guys, whatever that involved.

This was an intense, creepy, suspenseful, captivating read. Another excellent piece of fiction by Caroline Mitchell. Amy Winters is on another spine tingling case, dealing with her most diabolical killer yet. So intense was this book, I finished it in one day. Amy is such an interesting character, her past, her family, her career, her struggles she deals with daily. I can hardly wait for the next installment of this fantastic series.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the advanced copy of the book.
#netgalley #LeftForDead

Amy Winters was admiring a Valentine’s Day display of the perfect bride, but as Amy fixates on the mannequin, she comes to the haunting realization—this is no mannequin but a real-life woman. A young woman who was left to die for the world to see on display. Then a couple of days later, another young woman is left for dead in the museum strung up like a goddess, and a third woman is missing. As Amy starts to compile the profile of the killer, a murder that took place 20 years ago, connects to the present day by a heart scratched onto the chest of the women. When Amy finds out all the victims are on the Sugar Babes app, she dives into a world where no girl is who they say they are.

Amy strongly believes the owner of Black Media, Samuel Black, is hiding something. He offers his employees representation in legal matters and is the company behind the display case of the first victim. Sam also has an infatuation with the parents of Amy Winters, who happen to be serial killers. He dodges Amy’s questions with his own about Amy’s mothers’ up coming trial that will be televised. Amy knows he is trying to get into her head about her past to pull her off the trail of the killer.

This is the third book in the Amy Winter series, I did not read the first two books, but I had no problems reading this as a standalone. Caroline Mitchell does an exquisite job in weaving her previous career into her books. I strongly believed that I knew who the killer was, but Caroline throws a twist right when you least expect it. I now plan on reading the first two books of this series.

Thank you to Amazon Publisher U.K, Caroline Mitchell and NetGalley for letting me read this amazing ARC.

This book is the third in a series and after not reading any of the others I found myself very lost. There is so much information from past books that is not explained. I’m sure as a series this book is good, but without reading the others it’s not a stand alone at all!

I also found myself not liking Amy or cheering for her.

This book was not for me.

This was the third book in the series and I have enjoyed them all. Great storylines and brilliant characters. I look forward to reading the next one.

#LeftForDead #NetGalley
A good read.
DI Amy Winter is admiring a Valentine’s Day window display of a perfect bride encrusted in diamonds and resplendent in lace—until she notices blood oozing from the mannequin’s mouth.
This is no stunt. A post-mortem reveals the victim was left to die on her macabre throne for all to see. When a second victim is found, it emerges that both women were ‘Sugar Babes’ arranging dates with older men online—and Amy finds herself hunting an accomplished psychopath.
As she tracks down the killer, Amy’s instincts go into overdrive when the charismatic head of the agency behind the display makes no attempt to hide his fascination with her serial-killer parents.
Caroline has done it again. Her narration was really good that I wasn't able to put it down.
Characters were brilliant.
Thanks to NetGalley and Amazon Publishing UK for giving me an advance copy of this awesome suspense thriller.

This is another good read in the Amy Winter series but can be read as a stand alone. It switches back and forwards in time, with background information on Amy's birth mother and the investigation team. I liked the excellent plot and character development, with an insight into Amy's personal life too. There are so many twists in this book and it would be a great TV series. I recommend this series of books to lovers of the genre. Thanks to Net Galley for my ARC.

A victim on display. A detective on the rails.

Whilst DI Amy Winter is out shopping, she stops to admire a Valentine's Day window display of a beautiful bride encrusted in diamonds and swathed in lace, but there is something about this mannequin that makes Amy look closer and that's when she sees the blood coming from its mouth, she immediately realises this is not your normal shop display dummy, but a real person. When a second victim is found Amy and her team, now overseen by DCI Donovan, discover both victims were members of an online dating agency for older men called 'Sugar Babes'. At the same time as dealing with the investigation, Amy's biological mother, the infamous serial killer Lillian Grimes, is appealing against her conviction and Amy is struggling, so when a third 'Sugar Babe' goes missing, it's no surprise when Amy risks everything to find her.

This is the third in the DI Amy Winter series and they just keep getting better and better. The chapters are short, the plot is so well crafted and the characters portrayed realistically, the story is told by the third person and from the views of both Amy and Samuel Black, the head of the agency behind the display where the first victim is found, who has a penchant for serial killers. As the previous two books, this one reeled me in from the off and kept me hooked throughout. I'm very pleased to hear that the author is planning a fourth one! As I've said in previous reviews for this series, you really do need to read the books in order, as this one references events from both previous books, and it helps get an understanding of the background of the characters. This one is a belter and I highly recommend. Can't wait for the next one!

I'd like to thank Amazon Publishing and Netgalley for the auto approval. I will post my review on Goodreads now and Amazon on publication day.

4 Stars
Oh, We get so much in this book. We are in the minds of all the players, we have a DI Amy Winter fighting to do right for her victims, and also handle all of her personal issues.
Serial killer, a dating site for Sugar Babies /Old Men, this had so much and creepy too.

DI Amy Winter #3

Whilst out shopping with her sister, Amy stops to look at a Valentine's display in a shop window. At first glance the bride looks perfect in her Diamond and lace wedding dress. That is until Amy notices blood oozing from the mannequins mouth. Then a second body is found. It emerges that both women had been "sugar babes", women who arranged dates with older men online.

This is a gripping, steady paced story with a cleverly written plotline. We do learn whodunnit quite early on but I do prefer to try and work it out for myself a I'm reading. I liked Amy. She's a strong character who's not afraid to stand up for what she believes. I'm looking forward to reading the nex installment in this fantastic series when it come out.

I would like to thank NetGalley, Amazon Publishing Group UK and the author Caroline Mitchell for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.

What a trip reading this book.i read it in one day as I did not want to put it down at all. I have read the previous DI Amy Winter books and this one continued her story very well. It is a stand alone book as it is not dependent upon knowing the characters or their history as enough information is provided throughout the book. From the first page the story begins with the macabre bride in the window and continues with a steady investigative pace that is captivating. A bit disconcerting in places and I wonder how many people now check under their beds at night after reading this superb story. So realistic that it kept me on the edge.
The book, as all the others, ends with room for the next one to follow on and I am hoping that Caroline Mitchell does write more in this set soon as I love the characters written about here. I must also add that as a firm favourite of this author’s style I look forward to any book that she writes.
Highly recommend this author and any books by her.

Left For Dead by Caroline Mitchell
This book is a good police procedural, and I enjoyed it.
The storyline was good and keep me turning the pages right to the end. It is the third book in a series, and while I haven't read the first two I'm sure they would have added to my enjoyment of this story, although the book read very well as a standalone.

Another great read in the DI Amy Winter series.
Amy is shocked to see blood come from a mannequin in a shop window, so immediately calls it in. The victim had been posed for all to see in a shop window so Amy knows she’s looking for a sick and twisted killer.
Amy comes across a man who makes her skin crawl and things he says seem to connect to him being involved, but she has no proof so just has to keep him on her radar.
Donovan has been given the DCI job but Amy isn’t too happy about him being her boss, however, they soon come to an understanding.
We’ve also got Lilian’s trial that Amy is dreading and even more so when her sisters seem to have changed their mind about their mum.
This is a gripping crime thriller with a great final showdown with the killer.
Thanks to Amazon Publishing UK and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.

This is book three in the DI Winter series and after enjoying the first two, I was looking forward to seeing where the story was going to go next.
Amy is out shopping with her sister when they stop to look at a display in a wedding dress shop window. Something about the mannequin looks off to Amy and on further inspection, it is actually a body. When a second body turns up, Amy and the team find themselves on the hunt for a killer who likes to display their victims, leaving little to no trace.
Amy is also still dealing with her unique family situation, which is getting more complicated by the day especially with her biological mothers appeal coming up.
Another really good plot with some good new characters as well as further development on some old favourites!
This could probably be read as a standalone, but to fully understand particularly the backstory around Amy's family, I definitely recommend reading the others first.
Looking forward to the next one!

What a page turner! I ve come to love Caroline Mitchell s books for this reason alone and it didn't let me down! Couldn't put it down till I turned the last page! Fantastic!!!

Thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture and Caroline Mitchell for allowing me to read this Arc.
Caroline Mitchell is an amazing author. Not one of her books have ever let me down!!
The only problem I have with her books is they leave me craving her next one!!

Left For Dead is the 3rd book in the DI Amy Winter series. I was floored by the last two books in this series & was almost desperate to hold this one & read. Amy Winter is perhaps one of the most interesting characters I have read about given her lineage. Each of the last books had Amy as this brave & savvy young police detective. So it was refreshing to see this book showcase a little more of Amy's vulnerable side. The plot is interesting & the killer's identity is out at almost the start of the book, but that didn't keep me from turning the pages ferociously. The plot was good & there was a great twist at the end. The book was paced very well & the characters too were good. This book too ended on a cliffhanger so now I'm desperate again to read the next book! I cant wait to see what the future has in store for Amy & the Grimes family.

Thank You NetGalley, Bookouture & Caroline Mitchell for an arc!

Left for Dead by Caroline Mitchell is the third in the DI Amy Winter mystery series.

First, let me thank NetGalley, the publisher Thomas & Mercer, and of course the author, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

 
Series Background:    (Warning – May contain spoilers from previous books)
DI Amy Winter is a strong, rather competitive, independent woman, responsible for running a team to handle high profile cases. Her team includes DS Paddy Byrne, DC Molly Baxter and DC Steve Moss. Although Amy was fostered by wonderful people, her biological parents were serial killers.  Amy's biological father is dead, his wife serving prison time, and she is getting to know the rest of the family.  Perhaps it is her biological parents that is responsible for Amy's ability to get inside the heads of murderers.


My Synopsis:   (No major reveals, but if concerned, skip to My Opinions)
Much to Amy's displeasure, DCI Donovan is her new boss, and he seems intent on making her follow the rules.

The body of a woman is posed as a bride in a store display, a heart carved in her chest.  It is Amy, while on a shopping trip with her sister, who notices that it is not a mannequin in the window.  This will not be the last body to appear in a rather strange place.  The investigation leads Amy to the company that was hired to create the display, and further to the owner to the company, Samuel Black.  Amy instantly dislikes the man, and even when another is arrested for the murder, Amy's mind continues to return to Samuel Black.

Meanwhile, Lilian's trial is underway, and Amy fears that her biological mother may get out of jail, and that she will be responsible for the woman's acquittal.

Amy is also battling her own demons.  She wonders if she, too, has the genes that could make her a serial killer.


My Opinions:
I absolutely love this series.  

Amy is an amazing character, very conscious of her own capabilities, and/or lack thereof.  In this book she really explored her own mind.  Caroline Mitchell created a wonderful team to back up Amy, and the criminals that she creates are just as deep and interesting (and usually creepy), as the good guys.   In this case the villain was particularly dark.

The plot was great, and the suspense built up quickly, and was sustained throughout.  The side-line of Lilian's trial did take away a bit from the murder case, but it could have been worse. 

It all flowed smoothly, and although the ending was rather predictable, it does give you an idea of where we are headed next, and I can't wait!

4/5 Stars - A dangerous cat-and-mouse game full of surprises!

This book isn’t so much a mystery as it is an excellent thriller, which leaves readers begging to know what happens next. We know the killer’s identity from the beginning, but the key to the story is whether police can catch him before he kills again - because this guy is one creepy villain. There’s also some wild cards in there that make this book a really exciting.

I really enjoyed getting to know Amy Winter, who has a unique backstory herself, something that features heavily in the book, as she navigates both the court system and her own emotions. I found this storyline an excellent compliment to the main one, and was just as invested in what happened there as in Amy’s professional life. I look forward to seeing that storyline continue to develop.

I also really loved the little twists that were thrown in throughout the book. I don’t want to give anything away, but there are some surprising little details that make you just keep turning pages to see how it is all going to turn out. I was certainly on pins-and-needles at some points.

Overall, this book is an excellent thriller for anyone who likes police procedural or high-action stories. I am excited to see what comes next in this series!

This is such a great series. A cop with serial killer parents isn’t something I’ve ever read before and it works so well. Highly recommend reading these in order but they can be read on their own.

Amy is such a great character and I love seeing her grow and develop with every book. Whilst she’s trying to solve a case her biological mothers conviction is up for appeal which adds even more stress to her life. I love that Amy’s life and her problems always add to the story without getting confusing or distracting.

I’m not normally a fan of knowing who the bad guy is before the end but this just adds to the tension of whether the police will work it out in time. There’s a lot of suspense and an explosive ending.

Cannot wait to read more about Amy

I received a copy of the ebook via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

It is coming up to St Valentine’s Day and Amy has some rare time off work at last. She is out in town shopping with her sister when a Bridal display lures her in to take a good look at the flawless seated mannequin, beautifully dressed in a bejewelled, lacy bridal gown made up with the skill of a practised artist. She looks absolutely gorgeous, relaxing there, thinking about her longed for wedding day. Just when Amy’s eyes have feasted on the store’s window display and it is time for her to make way so that others in the crown can move forward, eagle-eyed Amy notices a slither of bright red blood emerging from the mouth of the display-piece and slowly following the rules of gravity, falling towards her stunning dress. Straight away the awful truth dawns on her; the blonde mannequin is indeed the victim of a flashy, flamboyant murderer, presenting his prey as a piece of art for everyone to admire. Amy, aka DI Amy Winter, calls in the atrocity and her third investigation in this powerful killer thriller series is soon to begin.
With her boss Pike no longer in charge and Donovan having been given the position, Amy and her team begin their meticulous search for answers and evidence. Now sharing a prized and spacious office with her new boss Donovan, she allots each member of her team with tasks to complete. Author Caroline Mitchell, with her invaluable knowledge of police procedures from her time when she was in the force, adds authenticity and realism to her novel and soon the jigsaw has its very first pieces of information to slot in place. An historic murder way back in the past carries the same hallmarks as the current slaying, although both in contrasting areas. Could they be linked? Amy focuses as the investigation gathers pace and a second body is discovered displayed in a famous museum. This odious killer likes to show off but is immaculate in his post murder habits, leaving no forensic evidence. With both current victims linked by the Sugar Babes high class dating agency, Amy is soon making contact with their only other link, an older lady who looks after her girls.
This is the dramatic and lurid opener to this third novel in the popular DI Amy Winter thriller and mystery series. I was absorbed in the story right from the highly original start, throughout the book up and until the ingenious and nerve-wracking ending. The story line was so tense and fast-paced. I look forward to reading novels in a series because I learn more and more about the returning characters as each novel sees further development of their individual stories. This is particularly so here with Amy attending her birth mother’s murder retrial while in the middle of her current case. Her mother and father are a notorious killing duo and in this novel Lillian Grimes makes an unwelcome return to her daughter’s lives. The new characters are, as always created and developed with talent and skill. The psychopathic killer is truly evil and obsessive, self-seeking and driven, odious and daring. He seems to be invisible and always one step ahead of the game.
I received a complimentary copy of this novel from publisher Thomas & Mercer through my membership of NetGalley. Thank you for my copy sent in return for an honest and unbiased review. I was totally awed throughout the entire story as the twists and turns and blind alleyways came time and time again. This is a 4.5* review and I’m already counting the minutes until the next DI Amy Winter novel is published. You won’t have long to wait, as Caroline is working on the fourth in the series already.

This is the third Amy Winter book and I have to say I enjoyed it more than the second. Amy is a complex character, born Poppy Grimes to a serial killer mother. I recommend reading the series in order to get a better understanding of Amy and her backstory. Left for Dead begins with DI Amy Winter and her sister shopping. Amy stops to admire a display of a bride and notices blood oozing from the "mannequin." It is revealed from the autopsy that the victim was alive when she was placed and "Left for Dead." As more victims turn up, we learn that they all were part of a website called Sugar Babes. We get some insight into the killer's mind as some chapters are from the killer's perspective. The storyline is dark but at the same time this is a well plotted mystery. Caroline Mitchell has created a complex character in Amy Winter and I cannot wait for her next case.

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for an unbiased review.

This is the third instalment of the DI Amy Winters series and this book leaves the first two in its dust! However this is a series best read in order to get the full effect of what is happening.
When a shop window mannequin turns out to be an actual victim of a crazed killer an autopsy reveals that she was posed I the window while still alive and was “Left for Dead”. When a second body turns up the link between the two is revealed to be that they were both “Sugar Babes” dating older men online. This book as with all of Caroline Mitchells is very dark, very twisted and very addicting. I loved that some of the chapters were narrated by the killer which drags you more into the mess. And of course the ever present shadow of Lillian Grimes hangs over the whole story. This book has it all, a fantastic plot, an expertly woven story and characters that you love to hate. 5 star read.

Yet another great read from this author. This is the third book in the brilliant Detective Amy Winter series . A fantastic series with a great plot but also a brilliant and intriguing backstory throughout the series. Cant wait for the next book in the series. Highly recommend this series

It started with obsession...and ended in murder.

This, the third book in the DI Amy Winter series, is the best one yet. Caroline Mitchell has been a bit hit or miss for me but this one is a winner. Amy is shopping with her sister one morning, they are looking at the window of a bridal boutique, admiring a Valentines Day themed display, especially the dummy attired in an amazing sparkly, lacy dress when Amy notices... a trickle of blood issuing from the dummy’s mouth. Oh wait, it’s not actually a dummy! And so begins the rather sinister case of the Love Heart killer, as the victim has a heart inscribed on the flesh of her chest. This killer is meticulous, the display has been carefully planned. Amy believes he will strike again. And she is right.

At the same time her biological mother, Lillian Grimes, is appealing her murder conviction of many years ago and the case is soon to be heard. Amy is horrified at the thought of her mother being released from custody and at the same time she feels she has somehow to ‘atone’ for her mother’s crimes, to expunge the taint of the blood that runs through her veins. Poor Amy has to deal with her mother’s impending release while trying to catch a deadly killer - is her mind on the job? Can she trust her instincts or will she find herself in terrible trouble?

In this particular book there’s no hiding it - we know who the killer is right from the start. Although it was still gripping and had dramatic moments, I think knowing this detracted a teensy bit from my enjoyment. Overall though - a very enjoyable thriller. I really liked the cover too, it set the tone really well. My thanks to Netgalley, Amazon Publishing UK and Caroline Mitchell for providing this book for me to review.

Amy Winter is my girl, I’m claiming her right now! Although, to be fair I think I’ve claimed her after every book.

Caroline Mitchell is an expert at bringing us a strong, bullheaded, take no prisoners female lead and I love every second of it.

Boss man tells you to sit this one out? Uhm, no. Probably not!

Unique to Caroline Mitchell’s writing it the alternating chapters between Amy and our murderer. That’s right- you know who it is from the start, what you don’t know is the why- will he/she be caught?

There’s a quite fun little twist I kinda saw coming towards the end, but didn’t fully expect! And that was loads of fun.

If you haven’t started The DI Amy Winter series- I highly recommend doing so. She’s my favorite killer catcher.

This is a case of it's me, not the book.

I think it is time for me to move on from this series. Onto the next!

An excellent mystery that kept me hooked till the end. I appreciated the different POV, the solid mystery that kept me guessing and the well developed characters.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

This is the third in the Amy Winter series and it definitely does not work as a standalone. Luckily, I had read and enjoyed the prior two books.
This time around, Amy is window shopping with her sister when she realizes the mannequin is actually a dead woman.
Amy has a lot on her plate. A man she got to know as a friend in book two is now her boss and they are struggling to work together. Her biological mother’s guilty verdict for murder is being appealed and Amy is expected to testify.
The reader is exposed not just to Amy, but also the killer. He’s one twisted individual and Mitchell makes much of his dual life, executive and family man by day, killer by night.
I really appreciated Donovan being brought in as a main character. In his role as boss and friend, he’s a solid soul that doesn’t put up with Amy’s gruff.
This is an entertaining mystery that moves along at a good brisk pace. It has a very satisfying ending.
My thanks to netgalley and Thomas &Mercer for an advance copy of this book.

Left for Dead is the third instalment in the DI Amy Winter series by former detective Caroline Mitchell and is one of my favourite serial killer thrillers, not least because our protagonist Amy is a whole lot more fascinating than usual given she is the daughter of two notorious serial killers herself. Aged four years old she aided the police in putting both of her birth parents behind bars despite feeling conflicted and was adopted by a new family. But her interest in the motivations of those who kill more than a few times led her to where she is today; working as part of a specialist police unit hunting down serial killers, convicting and incarcerating them. I usually think that most instalments in a series can be read as standalone's without issue but due to Amy’s backstory being such a large, integral part of the plot I highly recommend reading the preceding books before this.

Amy is off duty and taking a leisurely stroll around the centre of town with her older sister when she stops to admire the display of a bridal shop; the mannequin wearing a stunning lace gown and sparkling jewels seems too lifelike to Amy. Taking a closer look she can see blood oozing from the woman's mouth and her eyes are taped open as if to force her to watch those walking by. They later discover a heart etched into her chest. Startled by the brazen and ruthless nature of the body placement in such a public place this is one killer who now has her full attention. The Love Heart Killer first struck 20 years ago locating his victims through a website called Sugar Babes that provides affluent men with ”the girlfriend experience”. On top of this case Smy has to deal with her personal stresses as her twisted birth mother Lillian Grimes has secured a trial to appeal her conviction.

I'll start by saying that this is an unmissable thriller for all those crime connoisseurs out there with each book just getting better and better. The plot is wholly original and inventive and is written in such a manner that the tension steadily builds over time resulting in an explosive ending. It's a real page-turner with a heroine who, due to the dark deeds her family perpetrated, feels even more strongly than her team about gaining justice for the victims and bringing the culprit to heel; she frequently goes rogue and disobeys the orders of her superiors making her an intriguing and engaging character from the get-go. The cat and mouse game between Amy and the killer gets your heart pumping double-time as she races to stop another victim being slain. All in all, this is a riveting thriller I can't recommend highly enough. Many thanks to Amazon for an ARC.

This is the third book in the DI Amy Winter series and my first book by Caroline Mitchell and ...I'm hooked!
DI Winter has a lot of things on her plate. DCI Hazel Pike retires and is replaced by DCI Donovan. Once they shared a fleeting moment of understanding and camaraderie, but now Donovan is asked by the superiors to watch her every step and make sure she does things by the book. Amy is dealing with her father's devastating dealth, frail health condition of her mother Flora and her biological mother Lillian Grimes's court appeal. The public might see Amy as a serial killer hunter, 'psychopath whisperer', but the truth is a lot of her insight comes from growing alongside unimaginable darkness of her parents' horrific crimes.
On her shopping trip with her older sister Sally-Ann, Amy notices something is off with the beautiful mannequin in the shop window. Amy's instincts turn out to be right- the body of a drugged and tortured young woman was left there on public display for hours.
Thorough as usual, Amy has an interview with the owner of the company responsible for the display design. To Amy's shock, this turns out to be one of the most bizarre and disturbing conversations she's had. Amy is convinced she has her killer, but can she prove it? and can she save other young women from becoming victims of the Lover Heart Killer?
I loved the protagonist and the whole cast of secondary characters that were well-drawn. Amy's personal life struggles do not take away from the main plot, but rather enhance it as the killer is obsessed with Amy's biological parents and their crimes. I even learnt a new word from this book 'hybristophilia'- an attraction for people who have committed really dark crimes. Amy herself needs to accept where she comes from and who she is.
The book is a compulsive page-turner with its tight plot and relentless pace. There is something about Caroline Mitchell's writing style that keeps the reader's attention engaged throughout the book.
I will go back and re-read the previous two books, because I want to get a bit more perspective on Amy's family issues, but it is possible tostart following the series from this one as well.

Thank you to NetGalley and Amazon Publishing UK for the ARC provided in exchange for an honest opinion.

This book grabbed me from the very beginning. It’s a fast paced, edge of your seat thriller full of suspense and intrigue. It held my attention throughout and kept me wanting more. A definite read for fans of thrillers and/ or crime novels.

Wow. Twisty, dark and full of action. There is a lot of action packed into this story and a plot which surprises right up to the very end. I hope there is more of Amy to come.

Thank you to Netgalley for my copy.

As per usual I have started a series on book three like the prize pillock I am, but have no fear as explanations were given throughout so I got the gist of the back story. I have purchased books one and two though as this was brilliant.

Unusually you know right from the start who the killer is and he is one seriously warped psychopath. Presenting one image to the outside world of happily married father and great employer while hiding his true nature in the second drawer down. Both figuratively and literally. Truth be told I found him incredibly readable as there was something quite charming about him and I’m a sucker for a baddie. His narrated chapters gave you an inside look into his mind and it’s almost like he has two separate personalities with the darker one vying for control. At turns both loving and paternal and dark and chilling.

There are two big plots running parallel both featuring serial killers and one being the back story of DI Amy Winter’s murderous biological parents as her mother Lillian is appealing her conviction. Lillian is a manipulator and master game player and Amy is having to do all she can to stop her walking free. The author has used her parentage to full effect showcasing Amy’s gut instinct as knowing evil from the inside out and naming her the psychopath whisperer.

I really like Amy, she’s one feisty little ball of kick arse. Girl after my own heart, but luckily my parents are perfectly normal. Well normal for Norfolk. She has a grit and determination to be admired and will go to any lengths to solve a case, including breaking a few rules. What really surprised me was how much I liked the rest of the characters, especially the respectful Ray Goodman and the tenderness and care he showed the victims was a wonderful touch.

I could gush about this book all day, it’s obvious that the author knows her stuff, having been a detective herself, and it shows in the attention to detail. This is a dark and twisted chilling read about dark and twisted chilling minds and it captured my dark and twisted chilled heart.

I loved this! All the POVs were perfect and I cannot wait to find out what happens NEXT! The tension was high for Lillian's appeal and hate how her still fresh relationships are getting very strained from the whole process. All the secrets unearthed definitely had different reactions, but were all just as rewarding. This is one my favorite procedural mystery series and I hope it never ends.

This was a really good British crime novel. The characters were well developed and the storyline was very interesting. I do find books regarding serial killers to be quite interesting and I love the take this author has with regards to her serial killer character. This has the potential to be a really great series and I look forward to reading more from this author.

Left for Dead left me extremely impressed! This is the third book in the DI Amy Winter series but worked very well as a stand-alone book for me as I have not read the previous books (but desperately want to!)

While shopping with her sister, DI Amy Winter notices something about the window display. Besides being riveting, the perfect bride encrusted with diamonds looks so real - because she is! Noticing blood dripping from the victim’s mouth, Amy jumps into action to secure the crime scene. Soon another body is found, a killer yearns to kill again, while Amy deals with her past, and goes toe to toe with a local businessman who is fascinated with Amy's serial killer parents.

This book had a strong plot along with interesting subplots. I enjoyed the twists and turns this book took along the way. While reading, one might think they know everything that is going on, but Mitchell had a few cards up her sleeve. Will you be shocked? Did you see that coming?

Amy's character is interesting as her biological parents were serial killers and she is an officer of the law. In her pursuit of criminals, she did fail to follow protocol and put herself into some dangerous situations. We do get to know the killer and I did not mind knowing his identity. In fact, I thought that made this book more interesting.

I found this to be a fast read. This was my first book in the series, and I look forward to reading the next one that comes out.

Thank you to Amazon Publishing UK and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.

This is the 3rd in the series of DI Amy Winters stories.
It made me grateful that I have a divan!
Absolutely chilling stuff a brilliantly written story.
This book needs to do well as it's so good. I would definitely recommend reading the previous 2 to catch up with the back story which is part of Amy's makeup.
You can't help but want to like Amy as she's a stalwart for doing the right thing, even if it means breaking the rules.
I am waiting in anticipation for the next chapter.
Highly recommended.

Left For Dead by Caroline Mitchell is the third book in a series featuring Detective Inspector Amy Winter. I have always loved Caroline Mitchells books and look forward to a new release. Every book by Caroline is always a cracker, and this one is no different.

I think Amy Winter is one of Caroline's most interesting characters, not only is she a good copper, she also has parents that were killers! to top the unusualness of her, she even helped to get them locked up. She has always felt she needs to work harder and stops at nothing to get the job done, if only to prove she is not her parents. This story begins with Amy and her sister shopping and Amy sees a mannequin in a shop window and realises its a body.Amy gets the police there and starts looking into it. Other dead bodies start appearing and it turns into an investigation that Amy and her team are not prepared for, they are pushed to their limits. Will they manage to find the killer or killers before they decide to kill again? read it to find out what happens next.
I love the Amy Winters series and as they go on they get better, don't even know how Caroline does it but she knocks it out the park every time! An unputdownable book, filled with action and as always brilliantly written. The fact that Caroline is an ex- police officer shines through in every book and that is partially what makes her stories so real also.Thanks to Books On The Bright Side, Netgalley and Caroline for the copy of the book to join this blog tour today.

I adore Amy Winter. She’s the DI you want on your murder case (not that you want to be murdered). She’s a copper who pushes the rules to the limit and has a rep for it…

The spotlight is properly on Amy at the moment; her evil twisty biological mother is appealing her conviction. The press know who she is and now her team has a 24/7 film crew with them… will this stressed but seriously high calibre detective manage to catch this very twisted killer?!?

Now then Samuel Black gave me the proper heebie jeebies. The initial interview he had with Amy was just sinister beyond belief and then his fascination with Amy and her past particularly her parents it’s just twisted. I get the interest in serial killers, I’ve been there but his interest is one of a more unhealthy one….

As with every other crime thriller Mitchell has written, I was hooked. Like I said, I love Amy. She’s that unqualified cop with a foot in both camps, the biological daughter of convicted killers and the adopted daughter of a respected policeman. Mitchell really draws in her experience in the force to give the investigative side of the story a sense of authenticity. The stresses, the strains, the requirement to follow due process but also the drive and tenacity to get the job done, catch the criminals and make the public feel safe once again… I can’t recommend these books enough if you want a dark and twisted thriller!

This is a REAL unputdownable book that you won't soon forget ! A Throat Clutching Thriller !! A must read ! Thanks to Netgalley and Amazon Publishing UK for the opportunity to read and review this book !.Opinions are solely my own! #Netgalley #AmazonPublishingUK #LeftForDead

'Left For Dead' is the third book in the series featuring the character of Detective Inspector Amy Winter. I have been a fan of Caroline's work for a while now. I have read most of her books and some of them have scared me a bit and made me highly suspicious of a certain type of bird. That's all I will say there as I don't want to give too much away about her other books. Anyway I read the synopsis for 'Left For Dead' and it certainly sounded like another fantastic book from Caroline Mitchell. I wasn't wrong either because the book really is fantastic and I enjoyed every single minute of it but more about that in a bit.
Amy Winter is certainly an interesting character and then some. It turns out that both of her parents are actually killers themselves and that Amy, who was only aged 4 at the time, helped to put them behind bars. She is an incredible character. There is a lot of interest in her birth family and she can't always escape the attention, especially as she now works in the very service, which her birth parents were trying to evade. I hope that makes sense. Amy was adopted by a nice sounding family and brought up by them. Amy has a sister and the sisters seem to be quite close. Amy is one tough cookie but then she has had to be. Amy is also a dedicated police officer who often goes above and beyond what is expected of her. It would seem that Amy doesn't need to go looking for trouble as trouble normally finds her. It's whilst Amy is out shopping with her sister that she comes across the body of a young lady, who has been dressed up and posed in the shop window. Amy raises the alarm and begins an investigation into the murder. Other murders soon follow and they are set to challenge Amy and her team as they haven't been challenged before. Will Amy and her team manage to apprehend the perpetrator before any further lives are lost? Well for the answer to that question and so much more you are just going to have to read the book for yourselves to find out as I am not going to tell you.
'Left For Dead' is one of those books which really were unputdownable and a true page turner of a read. I picked this book up and only intended to read a couple of chapters. I made the fatal mistake of starting to read this book before I went to bed. Let's just say that bed time was very delayed and I was tired the following morning. As soon as I woke up, I was itching to pick the book up again. It wouldn't have surprised me if I had dreamt about the book. To say that reading this book became an addiction seems a huge understatement. I finished reading the book in just under 24 hours, which for me is pretty good going since I usually have the attention span of a gnat and I am easily distracted but not in this case.
To say that 'Left For Dead' is superbly written seems to be the understatement of the year! What I love about Caroline's books is that you can be sure that she has made the story as realistic as she possibly can, which isn't surprising when you consider that she is a former police officer herself. Her work experience helps to add an extra level of authenticity to her writing. I hope that makes sense. Caroline certainly knows how to grab your attention and then draw you into the story. For me, the book was perfectly paced. The story certainly started with a bang and from then on maintained a fairly fast pace. Reading 'Left For Dead' felt like being on one seriously scary and unpredictable rollercoaster ride with more twists and turns than you would find on a 'Snakes & Ladders' board. Just when you thought that you could take a breather then off the action would go again. I have to say that the villains in this book certainly made my skin crawl, sent a shiver down my spine and made me want to scrub myself with a scrubbing brush to get rid of all trace of them. Yes I know that 'Left For Dead' is fictional and therefore not real, but I find that if I enjoy a book as much as I enjoyed 'Left For Dead' then I tend to 'live' the story as if it were real.
In short, I thoroughly enjoyed reading 'Left For Dead' and I would definitely recommend this book to other readers. I will be reading more of Caroline's work in the future. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a very well deserved 5* out of 5*.

This is the first time that i have read a book by Caroline Mitchell and cannot wait to read more. Although this is the third book in the Amy Winter's series, it didn't spoil my enjoyment. From the very first page i was gripped and cannot recommend this book high enough.

My thanks to Netgalley and the Publishers for my copy.

This is the third book in the Amy Winter series but the first I have read. I do have a few of Caroline’s books on my Kindle that I have previously bought – always with the intention of ‘catching up’! Although there is obviously some backstory going here on that I have missed out on, it didn’t stop me enjoying this story as a killer thriller, although I would have had a better understanding of certain aspects had I been been familiar with Amy’s history – just bear in mind if you decide to jump in with this one.

A detective with a biological mother (and deceased father) – both serial killers (known as ‘the Beasts of Brentwood’) – my old stomping ground! 😳 From the backstory given, Amy has a complex relationship with her birth mother, Lillian Grimes, which in turn impacts on her relationships with her two sisters. Amy is pre-occupied with Lillian’s appeal trial and that is a whole other strand to the story. Lillian came over as a despicable character, quite capable of manipulating people when it suited.

Going back to the crimes, the killer here is clever and inventive. Their identity is revealed to the reader early on however this doesn’t make the story any less thrilling; watching the investigation team try to put together pieces of the jigsaw, which includes going back to a historic murder case, and wondering what the killer will do next. Of course it doesn’t just stop at one killing, and the tension mounts as Amy and her colleagues attempt to find out the identity of ‘The Love Heart Killer’ (so called because a heart is carved into the chest of the victims) before the body count rises even further.

Amy has a reckless nature which causes conflict between her and her new boss, DCI Donovan, when at times she crosses the line where procedure is concerned. There is clearly history between the two, both personal and professional, and I enjoyed the way the sparks flew between them (and not always in a good way) when they were together. Amy wants to be left to run things her way and doesn’t want to be babysat however at times she seems to have scant regard for her own safety if it means getting justice for victims. Clearly having Lillian for a mother has far reaching consequences!

Left for Dead was a very enjoyable read which I raced through. Set between London and Essex, it had a well-paced plot, a twisted and devious killer and two very engaging detectives that I would like to meet again.

My thanks to Sarah Hardy of BOTBS Publicity for the invitation to take part in the tour and to the publisher for the Netgalley copy provided.

I have no idea where Caroline Mitchell has been my entire adult reading life BUUUT... Whoa. Left for Dead are the kinds of books I live for, the kinds of books that I search for when looking for a new horror movie or series. I loved reading about Amy Winter and her detective work in stopping the worst kinds of humans in the world; serial killers.

This book dealt with two of women’s worst nightmares; one the nightmare saved from childhood of the monster under the bed waiting to get to you the second you close your eyes & the second, of feeling afraid to walk the streets alone at night knowing that any man could take advantage of the fact. In Left for Dead, both nightmares are joint into one man. A man that paints himself as a successful family man all the while hiding a Ted Bundy-esque evil persona behind the expensive cologne.

Amy, a woman full to the brim with demons that haunt her past (namely serial killer parents) makes it her mission to save as many people as possible on some needless aim to make it right with the universe by atoning for her parents sins. In this instance you would definitely benefit by having read the previous books in this series because though this one can be read as a standalone, it would give you more of a background if read in order.

In the end, the bad guy goes away but we are left with a cliffhanger and the knowledge that Amy Winter’s fight against evil is not quite over yet. I’ll SO have to make sure to read the first two books in this series before reading the next installment!

Left for Dead by Caroline Mitchell
A DI Amy Winter Thriller #3

DI Amy Winter was raised in a house of horrors and her memory of those days have followed her into her job as a Detective Inspector of murder cases. I am sure that more of her past was mentioned in the first two books of the series. Not having read those books did not impede my enjoyment of this book but it did make me wonder what I had missed.

The story begins is predominantly the finding of a serial killer but also has the understory of what is happening with Amy’s murderous mother and her attempt to get out of jail. Will they find the one fiend and stop the murders AND will the fiendish killer mother stay in jail or get out?

What I liked:
* Amy: a bit of a wild card and maverick that doesn’t play by the rules with the instincts that set her apart in sussing out murderers. She is good with her team and might have a bit of romance coming her way.
* Donovan: I think I like him though he seems a bit weak to be in charge and rein Amy in. Still, do like him and want to get to know him better
* The plotting, pace and writing of the story
* Police procedural aspects
* Knowing who the murderer is but finding out how the police find out
* That the victims were not “weak”
* That the protector of the Sugar Babes seemed to have the women’s interest at heart
* That evil did not win…at least not entirely
* Being left wondering what will happen next

What I did not like:
* The serial killer: amoral and rotten to the core – could have been so much better than he actually was
* Lillian: Amy’s mother was evil through and through – really wonder what she will get up to next
* Being reminded that evil people really do exist in this world and some are no doubt worse than the ones in this book.

Did I enjoy this book? Yes
Would I read more in this series/by this author? Definitely

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for the ARC – This is my honest review.

4.5 Stars

This is the third in the Amy Winter series but don’t worry if you haven’t read any of the previous novels (you should because they’re fab) you can jump straight into this one without missing too much.

I’m always so excited when I see Caroline Mitchell has released a new Amy Winter book and I certainly wasn’t disappointed by this one!

A killer leaves their victim in a window display for everyone to see. If that’s not enough for Amy, she’s dealing with a new boss, a documentary film crew and the prospect of her mother Lilian Grimes (one of the beasts of Brentwood) may be getting out of jail.

Amy is on fine form in this book, bending the rules but never quite breaking them. There’s also a nice subplot about nature versus nurture. Does Amy have a darker side like her serial killer parents or is she more like her adoptive parents?

I’m usually not a fan of knowing who the killer is from the off but Left for dead still manages to get a few shocks in there to surprise me along the way.

Left for dead is a fast paced and utterly gripping serial killer thriller that has me eagerly awaiting the next book!

Left For Dead by Caroline Mitchell, is the third book in the D.I. Amy Winter series, but the stories are not connected to each other, so you don’t have to read the previous ones to enjoy the story.
The plot concentrates on Amy, a young and brilliant detective, investigating the crimes of a serial killer in London, known as The Love Heart Killer.
From the first few chapters, you know who the killer is so the book goes back and forth between the killer and Amy as each of their own stories are revealed. Some kind of cat-and-mouse game is taking place and it keeps the reader intrigued and eager to find out about these murders...
The story is all tied up from the beginning to the end, but I'm not a fan of knowing whodunnit right from the start… I also found it a bit too long to get to the point. I think it would have been far better conceived as a novel depicting Amy investigating and sifting through possible suspects without the reader immediately knowing who's the culprit.
Read it and make up your own mind.

Despite this being the third novel in a series it works perfectly well as a stand alone.  There are some links to previous novels however gaps can be lightly filled in with inference and context and doesn't deter from the main plot in the novel.  However, to get a full experience of the character development then I'd recommend beginning with book one.  Have to say I'm definitely going to back read the first two though.

There are two stories happening within this novel.  The first is more about the personal life and history of Amy Winter.  Her biological parents are convicted killers and her mother's appeal date is looming, causing distractions for Amy from her case.  The case: a cold blooded killer who is hiring 'dates' and murdering them, leaving their bodies displayed in elaborate and public ways.  Add in the mix a new boss who she has a history with and things are looking pretty overwhelming for Amy. Both stories are stitched together with the right balance of personal and crime solving and their links are well structured and believable. 

The plot moves fairly quickly and and constantly feels like a game of cat and mouse.  it's full of action, twists and turns and is a real page turner.  The crimes are dark and disturbing and I loved how Mitchell showed us the mind of a depraved serial killer through actions and short teaser chapters told from his perspective.  His thoughts gave me serious goosebumps and a little bit of the heebie jeebies.  Amy figures out the killer's identity fairly quickly however is left with the seemingly impossible task of finding evidence against him to prove it.

Will she catch him in time to prevent even more murders or will her personal life be too distracting?            

Highly recommended dark crime novel.  Looking forward to catching up with the first two installments.

This is such a brilliant read, that is not for the faint hearted. It is the third in DI Winter Series.

Can you imagine going shopping and admiring the clothes a shop mannequin was wearing? That is what happens to Amy Winter when she gets some time off and goes shopping. She is admiring a display when she notices blood coming from a mannequin’s mouth. What sort of killer goes to these extremes to pose their victims. Amy knows she is dangerous with a dangerous killer.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, it is really well written and the beginning had me hooked, such an original crime to lead with. I really liked Amy’s character and although I haven’t read the rest in the series, I picked up a lot.

This is highly recommended and I shall definitely be reading the rest of the series.

I liked this book, I liked Amy as a detective and the premise of the window display had me really intrigued. The book is pretty gruesome which I liked and even though I haven't read others in the series this is a good standalone and works well. I would read something else with Amy though, I liked her a lot.

I was provided with a complimentary copy of this book so I could give an honest review.

It has been a long year since book #2 of Caroline Mitchell's DI Amy Winter series, The Secret Child, was published. Book #3, Left For Dead, has finally been released. A year was way too long to find out what happened with Di Winter, her team, her mother, and, of course, her biological mother, Lillian Grimes, who is imprisoned for being half of a serial killer husband and wife team known as the Beasts of Brentwood.

As with the first two books, I needed to put a timer on to remind me to take a break from reading. As with the first two, I did not want to stop.

The story focuses on Amy Winter's professional life and personal life. The case this time involves a serial killer who stages his victims and leaves them to die. In the meantime, Lillian has been granted a new jury trial. I will not reveal the verdict, but, as frustrating as the wait is, I promise you everything wraps everything up nicely but allows for future books.

In the Acknowledgements at the end of the book, Mitchell admits to currently writing the fourth book in the series. I will be looking for it!

This 200-word review was published on Philomathinphila.com on 7/14/20.

I really enjoyed this book, which would work well as a stand-alone novel but is part of a series. There are some dark parts within the story, with some intriguing and interesting twists and turns along the way.

Not only does this book have a good plot, the characters are also well-developed and relatable.

I recommend this book.

With thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for the arc, which I have enjoyed reading.
This is the third book in the DI Amy Winters police series and once again Left for Dead is a superb read by Caroline Mitchell. The storyline was excellent and a compelling read.. The main characters are well written and Interesting and the whole story was a fascinating and enjoyable read.
Highly recommended.

After realising this was the third in a series I quickly downloaded the first two and read all three in a week! Brilliant! What a great series! Very well written and totally captivating! I now can't wait to read Caroline's other books!

As ever, Caroline Mitchell has created another tense, thrilling case for DI Amy Winter, as she tries to juggle her work and personal life.

The horror of her past creates unique challenges for Amy, and this is shown more than ever here as she is tempted to the dark side. Has she finally met her match this time? A horrific murder is linked to a past case, and Amy is stuck between falling her instincts, or following the law.

Elsewhere, Amy’s biological mother, Lillian Grimes, is appealing her sentence. Amy and her siblings are testifying in court, but will it help to keep her locked up as she plays the poor, frail woman act?

All of the characters Caroline writes are fascinating, and DI Winter is my favourite yet. I look forward to the next instalment, especially after that ending!

I love the way this author writes. She notices things others may not, goes into detail with police procedure and the storyline is always very realistic. I highly recommend this book!

Thank you NetGalley for a copy of Left For Dead.

Unfortunately this wasn’t the book for me. I read the first two books in the DI Amy Winter series and thought they were pretty good but this one just started super slow for me and I had to put it down at about 20%. I’ve made a deal with myself that if I make it to 20% and I’m still not craving more it’s time to give up and move on to one of the other 700 books in my TBR pile. I think the biggest turnoff of this book was knowing who the killer was from the very beginning. Now I’m sure there are some twists I didn’t get too but for me that is like the big climax waiting to find out who really did what and why, so knowing pretty much at the start of the book just didn’t appeal to me.

Caroline Mitchell has written her best DI Amy Winter book yet! Complex and adrenaline fueling, this one comes at you from many places in Amy's life. All are dangerous and Amy is unraveling. Can she get her man - the psychopath she is chasing and the one in her heart? What will she do if her birth mother is released from prison? Tense, taut and tantalizingly thrilling!

Loved this third book in the series. Loved the detail in police procedures. Kept my interest throughout the whole book. Thank you to Amazon Publishing, Netgalley, and Caroline Mitchell for this book in exchange for an honest review. 🌟🌟🌟🌟 Star ratting from me!

This is the third book in the DI Amy Winter series, it can be read as a stand-alone too though.

A fast paced book that was gritty and enjoyable.
Easy to read

4.5 Stars from me

There is some lovely imagery within this story (for 'lovely', please bear in mind that I mean 'dark and disturbed'!) and I found myself rapidly absorbed by the story.

The 'love heart killer' is a cold, calculating and evil monster who leaves his victims painstakingly posed - publicly and still alive...but dying fast.

Amy has an interesting back story that media mogul Mr Black finds fascinating and he can't help giving away his darker side when they meet - will this ultimately lead to his or her downfall?

Super addictive and fast paced, Left for Dead most definitely left me wanting more.

I have loved meeting DI Amy Winter - I now very much need to go back and read books 1 and 2 in this series! Much like Mr Black, I need to more about Poppy Grimes! Her early life and her parents sound horribly fascinating.

Oh my days! I loved every single page turning minute of Caroline Mitchell’s #LeftForDead. Not only is it my favourite in the series, but I think it is the authors best book yet! Intense, dark and quite Luther-esque...I need to catch my breath now!

5 glorious ⭐️’s

Full review will be on my blog/link to be updated.

Left For Dead by Caroline Mitchell is the third book in her DI Amy Winter series, but is the first one I’ve read. It does read very well as a standalone, but there are references to past events, so I would recommend reading the first two books in the series before starting this one, which I think would make for an even richer reading experience. Having said that, though, having read some of the author’s previous books, I knew I was in for a fast paced and gripping read. And wow, that is exactly what I got!

This third book in the series is a dark and disturbing tale that drew me in from the very first page and didn’t let go until the final page had been turned. Unusually, you get a glimpse inside the mind of the killer from the very start, something that worked incredibly well here and didn’t take anything away from the intrigue and suspense as we follow DI Amy Winter as she tries to solve the murders.

Although new to the series, I was drawn instantly to the fascinating Amy, intrigued to find out what makes her tick and eager to learn more about her backstory, which I most definitely will do by going back and reading the first two books in what is shaping up to be a fabulous series!

In this story, we first see Amy as she is out shopping with her sister. Admiring a Valentine’s Day window display, she suddenly notices blood oozing from the mouth of the mannequin. Recoiling in shock, she realises that this is no display, but a real person who has been left to die on her macabre throne for all to see. And then a second victim is found…

What follows is a brilliantly written police procedural thriller that sees Amy on the hunt for a psychopathic serial killer. With two victims already, how long will it be before there is a third? With the clock ticking, Amy knows she must do everything within her power to find the killer before he strikes again. But with her personal life going into freefall, can Amy get to the truth before it’s too late? Or is she at risk of putting her own life in danger?

Caroline Mitchell is a former police detective and her experience of the inner workings of the police force is clear to see, but she also somehow manages to get inside the head of the killer himself with ease, turning this story into an even darker and more disturbing tale as she realistically portrays the sick mind of a psychopath.

Left For Dead is a fast paced and gripping read that had me enthralled from beginning to end. I was on the edge of my seat throughout, desperate for DI Amy Winter to capture the killer before it was too late. With a strong supporting cast of characters and a female protagonist you can’t help but root for, this is a book I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend. I can’t wait to read more from this talented author in the future.

This is the 3rd book in the series. You can read this and still enjoy it without having read the first two, which is what I have done. I do really want to go and read the first two now after reading this one. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
It's all about a DI Amy Winter, who while out shopping with her sister, comes across a gruesome shop window, with a real woman dressed in a wedding dress like a mannequin, except she is dead. The story follows her trying to figure out who the killer is that is targeting young women online and murdering them, then leaving them in a public place for everyone to see.
We find out who the killer is pretty early on in the story, but this allows part of the narrative to be from the killers POV. So rather than this book be a 'who's done it', it's more of a 'will they be caught' kind of story.
There is a lot of reference to the background of Amy Winter, which would have been covered in the first 2 books. She is the daughter of a serial killer who is currently in prison. I definitely want to read them to find out more of her background.
There will be a 4th book coming out in the series, which I will definitely be checking out.

Having read the first 2 books in the Amy Winter series, I was looking forward to this new one. It certainly didn't disappoint. A young woman has been murdered and placed in a bridal window display in place of the mannequin. We learn quite early on who the perpetrator is, as parts of the story are told from his point of view. I really liked that. When a second woman is murdered in a similar way it transpires that both were on a high end escort site, so Amy and her team have their first real lead. This is a real page turner, which will keep you guessing right to the end. Warning - some parts of the story are not for the faint hearted! Thanks to NetGalley for a preview copy.
Copied to Goodreads.

This is the third in the Amy Winter series which I didn’t realise when I initially chose the book on Netgalley. I thought that with it being the third in the series it would detract from the enjoyment of the book, but I was happily surprised when it could be read as a stand alone. I may have found it useful to have read the previous books in the series for extra background, but this didn’t take anything away from the story.

The story was well written and had a couple of twists in it that I wasn’t expecting. The character of Amy did get on my nerves at times with the attitude of “going it alone” with disregard for procedures, but overall she is a likeable character. I was quite surprised to find out Marianne’s involvement with the attack on Claire, which was a nice twist and explains why she felt so paranoid of Sam’s interest in Amy, I think it also went some way into explaining the reasoning behind their relationship and the guilt she felt. I might have to invest in some time reading the others in this series to understand Amy’s character more fully.

This is the third book in the series and there's obviously a fair bit of backstory that I'd missed out on. I will go back and read the first two in the series and then this one to see if they impact on this review because I also didn't warm to Amy very much as she was a bit gungho for my liking. I did enjoy the twists and turns of the book and am definitely keen to read the first two books in the series to see what I'm missing out on.

What a page-turner! The story pulled me in immediately with the opening of a woman's body being staged in a bridal display in a shop window. The author makes it clear almost immediately who the killer is - but is he really the killer? There's a surprise near the end that I hadn't expected.

The characters are interesting, and the story is told well.

I did a little research on the author, whom I'd never heard of before, to see if she had other books I might want to read. I was surprised to find that this book is the third in a series. Surprised because the book was written well as a stand-alone, but Amy's backstory about her family was clearly part of the previous books.

Would recommend as a good, interesting summer read.